NEW YORK CITY - April 4, 2023 – The World RFL kicks off play this summer with the NYC Sevens tournament on July 15 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. The event will showcase World Rugby’s top-ranked rugby sevens teams baring their teeth for $1 million; the sport’s richest-ever prize pool. Nations projected to participate at NYC Sevens include New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, France, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, and America’s own vaunted USA Sevens squad. The tournament is sanctioned by the U.S. Olympic and World Cup governing body USA Rugby.
NYC Sevens will bring together 25,000 rabid fans cheering on eight of World Rugby's top-ranked teams. This one-day, 16-game international rugby festival promises to bring Red Bull Arena a Hong Kong Sevens-style party off the field with 11 hours of entertainment and the international sports culture rugby sevens is most famous for. Tickets, starting at $55.00, go on sale April 10 at www.nycsevens.com and Ticketmaster.
"NYC Sevens is not just fast-paced, hard-hitting rugby that features the best teams in the world; it’s an all-day festival showcasing the energy and passion of international rugby sevens through music and sport," said Rob Cornelius, President of 44FiftyFive Sports & Entertainment and Head of Operations for NYC Sevens. "As a leading promoter of the Las Vegas USA Sevens, the most successful rugby sevens event in the United States, we are excited to be a part of The World RFL’s premiere kick-off event by introducing Olympic-caliber rugby sevens to New York City.”Â
In recent years, similar rugby sevens events in Las Vegas have seen crowds in excess of 80,000. World Rugby’s San Francisco 2018 World Cup Sevens drew over 100,000 spectators.
“This event will bring a unique sports experience to both avid and new rugby fans,” said Sean Verity, The World RFL's Executive Producer. “We are developing creative solutions and identifying venue and broadcast innovation that presents rugby sevens in the most dynamic way possible across the modern landscape of live and televised sports. We have an incredible opportunity to bring the world's best rugby sevens players to the Big Apple, and we intend to build a strong foundation to expand The World RFL as a major league sport.”
Ross Young, CEO of USA Rugby, said, “Rugby sevens is a unique experience in so many ways, the festival and entertainment atmosphere are unlike any other. NYC Sevens aims to enhance that with a blend of top-level rugby, music, and culture. With some of the world’s best men’s teams descending on Red Bull Arena this summer, it will take things to another level here in the USA.”
Major league teams, major league cash, and major league fun, the NYC Sevens is a can't-miss sport and entertainment festival! To learn more about The World RFL’s NYC Sevens, visit: www.nycsevens.com.
About The World RFL
The World RFL was founded to establish America’s first professional major rugby sevens league, delivering avid and casual fans an exciting, world-class live sports event and media experience. The World RFL's premiere NYC Sevens in July 2023 will kick-off major league play and showcase the world’s greatest teams playing for the world’s richest prize. The league is committed to offering private investment opportunities via sports franchise ownership. The World RFL’s innovative start-up will target 2024 expansion of two playoff tournaments leading to the RFL’s 2024 Champion Sevens. Through collaboration with USA Rugby, The World RFL is committed to developing the league’s six-year growth into the top sixteen U.S. media markets, producing and distributing a range of sports, entertainment and gaming content, marketing initiatives, and grassroots programs aimed at educating and exciting America and the world's rugby fans and players.
About Red Bull Arena
Built in 2010, Red Bull Arena is the home of the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer and Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League. The Harrison, NJ-based stadium has also hosted some of the top soccer clubs in the world including FC Barcelona, Chelsea FC, Manchester United, Manchester City FC, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, SL Benfica, Club America, Paris Saint Germain, AS Roma and Juventus as well as international squads including the United States Men’s and Women’s National Teams, Ecuador, Colombia, Czech Republic and Turkey. The Sports Turf Management Association named Red Bull Arena the "2021 Professional Soccer Field of the Year" and the venue has twice been selected as J.D. Power's "Best in Fan Experience" from all New York/New Jersey professional sports and entertainment facilities.
