Live from Dallas Fort Worth.
This is WFA news.
And I can't imagine the feeling
it would be to be an American
player standing on home soil.
The US bidding to host the premier event
of the fastest growing sport in America.
We're talking about rugby,
y'all and listen
in. We are breaking the news
right here on midday with the big
announcement involving the Mens and
women's Rugby World Cup tournaments
and what it means to North Texas.
I want to welcome Monica Paul,
executive director of the Dallas Sports
Commission for the big announcement.
So Monica, the floor,
the TV time it is yours.
What is happening?
Well, thank you for having me.
So this is a fantastic day tomorrow.
World Rugby will make an announcement
on the host country for the rugby
Men's World Cup for 2031 and the
Women's Rugby World Cup for 2033.
So a fantastic opportunity for
Dallas and North Texas to remain
at the top of the the sports world.
From an international standpoint,
Rugby World Cup is the third largest
sporting event in the world,
so the fact that we're in the talks
and in discussions for the FIFA World
Cup with the hopefully a decision.
They're coming up in June,
and this opportunity for 2031 and 2033.
Fantastic opportunity for for
growth and for our region.
Yeah, what a big deal this is.
Look, some are familiar with rugby.
Some still think of it as a
European version of football,
but it's it's huge worldwide, right?
Can you talk about that a little bit?
Yes, over 400 million
participating in in rugby.
The Rugby World Cup in 2019 host
had about $5 billion in economic
impact here in the United States.
They would anticipate over 3,000,000 tickets
sold for this Rugby World Cup in 2031.
And if we look at what happened in
1994 by hosting the the FIFA World Cup
and the growth of the sport of soccer,
we would anticipate that to
happen for rugby as well.
And and layer on the developments of
Major League rugby as well as the.
Dallas jackals that are here in in Arlington,
I think the sky is the limit
for the sport of rugby.
Tell us about the efforts to bring both
World Cups to Dallas and what that
could mean from an economic standpoint.
Yeah, so we have great partners in
terms of the facilities, AT&T Stadium,
Toyota Stadium, Cotton Bowl stadium,
fantastic infrastructure.
We're well known for hosting major events
so we feel like we we have that position
appropriately and we're anticipating
over 200 to $300 million in economic
impact per match for Rugby World Cup.
A lot of things still to to figure out
number of matches other ancillary events
that go along with the Rugby World Cup,
but they layer very nicely for.
For our planning purposes for what we
would have for FIFA World Cup in 2026.
As well,
big Tommy and you mentioned that
we're known for for hosting,
you know, large events,
but there are challenges
that come with hosting.
Any large events.
Have you guys thought about those and
considered some of those challenges?
Well, absolutely you know it it.
It takes an entire army to put a bid together
for an event such as a Rugby World Cup,
and so we rely on obviously stadiums.
The infrastructure, airports,
transportation services.
So we've all been in communication and really
feel like we put a great plan together.
And you know, one of the challenges is
what will our region look like in 2031?
What will we look like in 2033?
So as DFW continues to expand and and
the growth that we're seeing here?
Ensuring that our infrastructure keeps up
with that and that development keeps up,
so it's a it's a moving target,
a little bit, but I I think everyone knows.
We have some great Texas hospitality
and I can do spirit here in DFW.
So while there is a long road
for this Rugby World Cup decision
in terms of actual host cities,
there are 24 other cities within
the United States in consideration
and there'll be multiple cities that
will host Rugby World Cup matches.
But you know,
we have great partners in a great local
organizing committee and bid committee
that I think we can be very successful.
And in another international event.
Yeah, Monica, I love what you said.
There's a long road,
but that road has to start somewhere
and it's starting right now.
What about real quickly?
The lasting benefits of all of this. But
yeah, absolutely.
When you host a major event like this,
the legacy itself, I mean,
take into consideration 2033 women's
Rugby World Cup to be able to provide
those opportunities for women and not
only to compete at that level here
on home soil in the United States,
but also those that maybe aspire to play
rugby or any other sport for that matter,
to be able to witness that,
see that experience.
That level of competition,
I think is very important and not only that,
is providing those other experiences.
They're locally for the youth as you see,
the growth of rugby. You know.
Additional fields come along
with that additional resources,
equipment,
opportunities for those that may not
have that to participate in the sport of
rugby and just to get out and be active.
So I think those are a lot of the
lasting legacies that we want to see
here for our residents in our community.
And I will say you can't
be what you can't see.
Monica Paul, executive director
of the Dallas Sports Commission.
Thank you for joining us
on midday. Thank you.