North America set to host 2025 Rugby League World Cup
The 2025 Rugby World Cup is set to be staged outside either Europe or Australasia for the first time, with North America winning the rights.
North America has been given the green light to host the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.
The United States and Canada missed out on staging the 2021 event, which will instead be staged in England.
However, the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) board has conditionally agreed to award the following edition to the North American nations.
The decision comes seven months after it was announced that the Toronto Wolfpack - the first professional Canadian team - will play in the English third tier from next season, as attempts to grow the game in the region are stepped up.
RLIF chairman Nigel Wood said: "The award of the 2025 World Cup to North America is a historic moment in the global development of rugby league.
"The USA and Canada provides world class stadia allied to a significant multicultural population which made the bid so persuasive.
"It is exciting that our sport is expanding into a new destination for our premier event the World Cup and we will work with our members in the USA and Canada and Moore Sports International to expand the presence of our sport in these countries during the lead in to the 2025 World Cup.
"The Board will now work with Moore Sports International to complete the due diligence and exchange of contracts to complete the award."
Provided all the paperwork goes through, the 2025 World Cup will be the first time the competition has not been staged in either Europe or Australasia.