Rugby administrators are hoping the inaugural 16-team Club World Cup can still go ahead in June 2029, ahead of the British & Irish Lions’ three-Test series in New Zealand.
According to The Times, plans to stage the tournament in June 2028 have been shelved for at least a year following a EPCR meeting, with calendar congestion and travel costs cited as the main obstacles.
Sources say organisers remain committed to holding the final before the Lions depart for New Zealand in 2029, provided suitable dates can be found.
OBERHOLZER: Rugby needs Club World Cup
Should the full 16-team format prove unworkable, a senior source suggested a scaled-back version featuring only that season’s Vodacom URC, Super Rugby, Premiership and Top 14 champions could be staged instead.
EPCR chairman Dom McKay had previously confirmed plans to launch the tournament in 2028, with a second edition in 2032, while stressing the Investec Champions Cup would remain untouched.
The format envisioned Champions Cup quarter-finalists joining seven Super Rugby sides and a Japan Rugby League One representative in four pools of four, building to semi-finals and a grand final.
Domestic competitions, including the Premiership and URC, have already agreed to bring their finals forward to accommodate the new global event.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
The post Club World Cup launch delayed appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rugby administrators are hoping the inaugural 16-team Club World Cup can still go ahead in June 2029, ahead of the British & Irish Lions’ three-Test series in New Zealand.
The post Club World Cup launch delayed appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
