England is set to find whether it will host the 2021 Rugby League World Cup at the end of the year.
The international governing body, the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), announced that it had “finalised the documentation” for potential hosts of the tournament following a board meeting on 12 January.
Prospective host nations will be able to bid for the competition before the end of June, with a winning bid being chosen by the RLIF in Q4 2016.
The bid documentation, proposed by RLIF chief executive David Collier, provides the “criteria and the requirements upon which submissions will be considered” for the 2021 World Cup.
When chancellor George Osborne outlined his Autumn Statement in November last year, he revealed England’s
intention to bid for the tournament – as well as the cycling Road World Championships.
If England presses ahead with a formal bid – and succeeds – it would be the sixth time the nation has hosted the Rugby League World Cup. England hosted the 2013 edition, alongside Wales, for the fifth time, and shared the tournament in 2000 with fellow home nations Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as Ireland and France. It has hosted the event alone on three further occasions, in 1960, 1970 and 1995.
“The Rugby League World Cup is the marquee event for our sport and requires world-class facilities and infrastructure to provide the stage for the world’s best players to deliver the highest quality rugby for all our supporters and for the nations participating,” said Collier.
The 2017 tournament will take place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with conversations about host cities in an advanced stage.
In addition, the RLIF board meeting confirmed financial support for the Asia Pacific and European Continental governing bodies, as well as grants for all 18 full members of the RLIF. The Rugby League European Federation received its biggest ever grant of €466,000 (£354,803, US$507,628) from the European Commission last December for coaching and governance.
“These grants are fundamental to the financial health of our members and the board approved the early payment of the 2016 grants to assist our members,” added RLIF chair Nigel Wood.
