World Rugby Appoints Megan Rose to Lead 2031 World Cup

The former tennis executive will oversee preparations for the upcoming men's tournament in the United States.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Other Sports

World Rugby Appoints Megan Rose to Lead 2031 World Cup

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World Rugby has named former United States Tennis Association executive Megan Rose as the managing director for the 2031 men's Rugby World Cup. She will lead the project to bring the world-class sporting event to the United States.

Why it matters

World Rugby is looking to drive innovation in the United States market by tapping into the leadership of an experienced American sports executive. The organization aims to successfully deliver one of the world's largest sporting events on American soil.

The Rugby World Cup is ranked as the 3rd-largest global sporting event. World Rugby officials engaged with 25 different cities during the competitive applicant process to determine tournament locations.

The players

Megan Rose

She is a former tennis professional and United States Tennis Association executive now tasked with leading the 2031 men's Rugby World Cup project.

World Rugby

This is the international governing body for the sport of rugby union, responsible for overseeing global tournaments and developing the game.

The details

Megan Rose, who previously worked as a tennis professional, will focus on scaling the tournament logistics within the US. The efforts build on existing interest in the sport, highlighted by a notable match in Baltimore that drew over 68,000 attendees.

2027: Australia hosts the men's Rugby World Cup.
2029: Australia hosts the women's Rugby World Cup.
2031: The United States hosts the men's Rugby World Cup.
2033: The United States hosts the women's Rugby World Cup.

Season Trajectory

This appointment signals the formal start of the organizational buildup for the 2031 tournament following the operational lead established by the 2027 men's Rugby World Cup in Australia. The hiring positions the US project to align with international standards set by previous World Cup cycles.

The appointment establishes a single point of leadership for US-based event planning as officials look to expand the sport beyond the current five-team structure of Major League Rugby. Fans can track the organizational progress as the US Eagles prepare for their appearance in the 2027 tournament.

The takeaway

The move suggests a concerted effort to leverage executive talent from established American sports to grow rugby's footprint in the US. Success will likely depend on the ability to replicate the high turnout seen in cities like Baltimore during upcoming international matches.