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The buzz is building for a different breed of contact sport in Ameri- ca. Rugby, a sport that dates back more than 150 years, is riding a wave of momentum and will soon have an even bigger presence in the
United States, thanks in part to the addition of
rugby sevens to the Olympic Summer Games and
major events held on American soil.
Next July, the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
heads to the Bay Area—AT&T Park in San Fran-
cisco and Avaya Stadium in San Jose—for a week-
end of action. The top international event will
feature 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams.
“What the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
tournament will bring to our ballpark and to our
city is truly unprecedented,” said Stephen Revetria, senior vice-president of Giants Enterprises, a
subsidiary of the San Francisco Giants that manages events at AT&T Park. “This is the first time
in U.S. history that we’re hosting the RWC Sevens
Tournament, and a rugby event of this magni-
By Neal Reid
A rise in the number of prestigious rugby events
has the sport’s leadership excited for the future
RUGBY
READIES FOR
ITS MOMENT
Rugby sevens
made its Olympics
debut at the 2016
Games in Rio.
