NFL stadiums have been put forward to stage matches as part of the bid ©Getty Images

The United States has officially submitted a bid to bring the Rugby League World Cup to the country for the first time in 2021, it has been announced.

The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) confirmed the country had launched an attempt at securing the hosting rights for the event in five years’ time.

Leading marketing and event management company Moore Sports International will lead the American bid for the 16th edition of the quadrennial tournament, the RLIF has revealed.

The event, first staged in France in 1954, has never been staged outside of a traditional rugby-league playing country, though the US are now ranked 10th in the world following a rapid development of the sport in America.

The US bid has been boosted by the confirmation from Moore Sports International that they intend to use National Football League (NFL) and Major League Soccer (MLS) stadiums to host matches.

The nation has joined England in expressing a firm interest in hosting the 2021 Rugby League World Cup and has become only the second bidder in the race.

“The RLIF is committed to growing the game and is working diligently to have Rugby League recognised as one of the world’s leading sports,” said David Collier, RLIF chief executive.

“This year’s bids, including a first-time bid from the United States via Moore Sports International, certainly affirm our belief in the greater opportunities ahead.”

The bid comes as a result of a vast growth in interest in rugby league in the United States ©USARL
The bid comes as a result of a vast growth in interest in rugby league in the United States ©USARL

Should the tournament be awarded to the US, it would mark the first time that it would be contested outside of continental Europe or the Oceania region.

The last Rugby League World Cup was held in 2013 in England and Wales before nearly 500,000 fans, with Australia defeating New Zealand in the final.

The next edition of the event is due to be staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in 2017.

“We are honoured and excited at the opportunity to showcase this sport to this nation - and the nation to this sport,” Jason Moore, chief executive of Moore Sports International, said.

“Rugby league already has a strong following in several major US markets, and should the 2021 World Cup be staged in the United States, American sports fans new to Rugby League and who have a hunger for ‘Gladiatorial’ style sports are going to fall in love with this extraordinary game.

“There is a lot of hard work still to be done.

“But we are grateful for, and motivated by, the strong interest of potential host cities, stadiums, sponsors, and other local stakeholder across the United States.”