Newly-appointed 2017 Rugby League World Cup chief executive Michael Brown says his experience from the Asian Cup shows Canberra is worthy of hosting major sporting events.
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Brown will take up his role with the Rugby League World Cup next month after being at the helm of the Local Organising Committee for soccer's 2015 Asian Cup.
Canberra was the success story of the tournament, with more than 82,000 fans attending the seven games during the quiet holiday period.
Canberra Stadium was also judged to have had the best playing surface for the tournament.
Brown said what happened with the Asian Cup should provide a blueprint for how Canberra would embrace rugby league's showpiece event.
"I'm very keen to talk to the Government and Chief Minister (Andrew Barr), who was very supportive during the Asian Cup, and see if there are opportunities there," Brown said.
"The people of Canberra have shown themselves to be great sporting enthusiasts.
"Obviously you need to have government support, community support and club support, and we will be exploring all of those options."
Canberra hosted one game the last time the tournament was held in Australia in 2008 – France defeating Scotland 36-18 in front of a crowd of 9287.
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup will be co-hosted between Australia and New Zealand, while games may also be held in Papua New Guinea.
"Every opportunity is on the table," Brown said.
"To get 82,000 people for the Asian Cup and to sell out a quarter-final, it just shows when you promote it and when you work with the communities, anything is possible.
"This is about bringing families to football and doing everything we can to promote the sport.
"I'm very buoyed about what happened in the Asian Cup and I see the Rugby League World Cup as a chance to keep the support going."
The ACT Government has made no secret of its desire to increase its focus on major one-off sporting events.
Strong crowds turned out for this year's three cricket World Cup games at Manuka Oval, while the Government is also looking into securing another rugby league Test match and a Socceroos World Cup qualifier.
"Canberra's got to start aiming itself to be a major centre for international sport and cultural events," Brown said.
"I think it's building a fantastic reputation.
"This is another one that can continue to raise its profile."
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup is expected to be held in October and November of that year featuring 14 countries.
Brown said his organisation would be in a position early next year to finalise the venues and the schedule for the tournament.
"I start in July and I'll be talking to all of the governments very quickly," Brown said.
"Rugby league is developing in other countries and there's a fantastic rivalry between Australia, New Zealand and England.
"There were 500,000 people who attended the World Cup in 2008.
"We want to do better than that and put on a world-class sporting event."
