The Spanish Rugby Federation (RFER) have unveiled a landmark bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2035.
Receiving the approval of the Spanish government and the backing of La Liga to use some of the world's most iconic football stadiums, the RFER are hoping to capitalise on the blossoming popularity of the sport in the country.
Barcelona's Camp Nou, Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu, Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano and Athletic Club's Estadio San Mamés are all included on the longlist for the tournament's venues.
Spain will take part in only their second men's Rugby World Cup next year after qualifying for the first time since 1999. The 2027 edition will be staged in Australia before heading to the United States four years later.
On Spain's bid, RFER executive president Juan Carlos Martín 'Hansen' said in a statement: "World Rugby has established this tournament as the pinnacle of our sport, and it is a great honour for Spain to bid to host it. Over the past two decades, our commitment to rugby has led to extraordinary progress, and the next nine years could mark a step change for the sport across Spain.
"The warmth, openness and desire to share moments with others that characterise our country fit perfectly with the spirit that a Rugby World Cup creates.
"Rugby is becoming part of our country's identity. Working together with World Rugby, we can make Rugby World Cup 2035 a turning point in the global growth of the sport, for the benefit of generations to come."
If Spain's bid is successful, the revamped Nou Camp will host the final, meaning more than 100,000 spectators will witness the Rugby World Cup showpiece for the first time.
Spain harbour ambitions of tripling the number of people participating in rugby by 2035 and wish to establish the country as a Tier One nation by the time the tournament comes around.
Rivalling Spain's bid for the 2035 Rugby World Cup is Japan, who hosted a ground-breaking 2019 edition which was the first to be staged in Asia, while Argentina are leading a cohort of South American nations including Brazil, Chile and Uruguay as they look to bring the Rugby World Cup to the continent for the first time.
Spain staged the women's Rugby World Cup in 2002 and it's hoped their hosting of the men's FIFA World Cup in 2030 will provide them with an infrastructural advantage over their rival bidders.
"Rugby is becoming part of our country's identity," added Martin.
"Working together with World Rugby, we can make Rugby World Cup 2035 a turning point in the global growth of the sport, for the benefit of generations to come."
World Rugby are expected to identify their preferred host in May 2027 before formally unveiling the approved bidder in the following November during the 2027 tournament.
