World Cup in United States faces uncertainty due to financial issues

The 2025 Rugby League World Cup in the United States may not go ahead due to financial issues.

The Rugby League International Federation had conditionally awarded the event to North America in 2016.

But there are already concerns that the event’s promoter, Moore Sports International, is not in a financial position to pay more the tournament, according to New Zealand publication Stuff.

The marketing company staged England’s mid-season Test against New Zealand in Denver earlier this year, but a crowd of around 20,000 resulted in Moore Sports International boss Jason Moore losing an estimated seven-figure sum.

While the England and New Zealand players have now been paid by the promoter, the New Zealand Rugby League and Rugby Football League are out of pocket and are facing the prospect of suffering a $500,000 debt, according to Stuff.

RLIF chairman John Grant told Stuff.co.nz: “MSI has been awarded the 2025 World Cup subject to appropriate guarantees and finalisation of a staging agreement.

“When we have greater clarity on MSI’s position, we will know whether we have to deal with anything or not. We’ve wait until things become clear.”

One of Moore’s other projects, snowboarding competition Air + Style, was set to be staged in Sydney this month. However, the event has been canned and Moore’s subsidiary firm, Moore Snow Sports, is one of his companies currently in administration.