Rugby chiefs REJECT Middle Eastern riches with Qatar’s £800m Nations Championship bid off the table… with plans for ‘Super Bowl’-style weekends in Doha rebuffed over reputational damage concerns

Rugby is poised to defy current sports trends by declining lucrative opportunities from the Middle East, as discussions to host the finals of the Nations Championship in Qatar have now been halted.

It has been revealed that major unions and World Rugby, the sport’s global authority, have been in discreet discussions following an £800 million offer from the Gulf nation to stage the inaugural, biennial event.

Teams from the Six Nations, alongside their Rugby Championship counterparts—Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa—were approached to participate in a ‘Super Bowl’-like weekend of six matches in Doha, scheduled for 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032.

However, Mail Sport reports that this initiative will not advance, at least for now, despite the widespread belief that it was practically settled, primarily due to the anticipated financial advantages from sponsorship and broadcasting agreements.

This decision comes after a two-month exclusive negotiation period with Qatar, following the country’s hosting of the 2022 football World Cup amidst controversies over its bidding processes and the treatment of migrant workers involved in constructing the event spaces.

Rugby authorities have rejected an £800m bid from Qatar to host the finals

The Qatari offer for the Nations Championship finals has been declined

Sources indicate that unions were particularly concerned about the potential reputational harm that might arise from accepting the deal. Not only were they likely to face intense backlash from human rights advocates, but they were also wary of the risk of marquee matches being played in near-empty stadiums due to the likely lack of traveling fans from distant areas.

Conversely, many unions are contending with significant financial pressures, creating a conflict for officials who weighed the necessity of addressing their debts against ethical and logistical considerations.

Nonetheless, the unions were well aware of the potential severe backlash and accusations of hypocrisy given rugby’s commitment to its declared ‘core values’.

It is understood that other interested parties, including sovereign wealth funds, have expressed interest since the news of Qatar’s offer emerged. Although rival offers couldn’t be presented during the exclusive negotiation period, rugby’s authorities now appear committed to exploring alternative options.

There is a possibility that attractive new bids have enabled leading unions and World Rugby to resist the trend of sports migrating major events to the highest bidder in the Middle East.

Teams from Six Nations and Rugby Championship were invited

Unions were worried about reputational damage from the deal

Lusail Stadium in Doha hosted the 2022 football World Cup

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a prominent venue for world championship boxing bouts and has managed to attract renowned football players with lucrative contracts. Qatar is also scheduled to host the World Aquatics Championships next year and the Basketball World Cup in 2027. Additionally, Qatar Airways has expanded its involvement in rugby by becoming the official sponsor of the Lions series in Australia next summer.

However, for the moment, the Nations Championship finals are not headed to Doha.

Sources have suggested that if a united decision is made to turn down the Qatari offer, rugby’s leadership may consider hosting the culminating event of their new international competition in the United States to boost interest in the sport ahead of the 2031 timeline. They are also conscious of growth opportunities in emerging European markets such as Spain and Portugal.

The Nations Championship was officially announced by World Rugby late last year, aiming to create a league “narrative” around Test matches in non-World Cup and Lions tour years.

This initiative also includes the development of second and third-tier competitions, with a long-term goal of instituting a promotion and relegation system.