International Rugby Tournament Hits Town Next Month
Overview: The rugby world is coming to San Diego for the IRB World Sevens Series International Rugby Tournament 4th annual USA SEVENS event featuring 16 nations, playing in 44 matches.
Date: February 10-11 at PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres.
Rugby Sevens: Played on the same size field as traditional 15 a-side rugby, sevens rugby is played with only seven players per team. Pure speed and athleticism is the foundation for sevens rugby. The game is played with non-stop action, thrill attacks and game saving tackles in fourteen minute matches.
International Festival: Right outside PETCO Park the International Festival will be February 10-11 featuring live music throughout the weekend, food and rugby clinics in a fun and spirited atmosphere for rugby fans of all ages. The International Festival will be the place to be for San Diegan’s and rugby enthusiasts who make the Gaslamp Quarter a fun place to party throughout the year.
Competing Countries: The USA SEVENS event will feature the world’s best national sevens teams. Countries that will be participating in the tournament include:
United States, Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Kenya, New Zealand, Portugal, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, West Indies, Tonga and Chile.
Television: The USA SEVENS event will be televised by over 25 international broadcasters, reaching 130 countries, 150 million homes and broadcast in 10 different languages.
Tickets: Tickets for the USA SEVENS matches at PETCO Park are priced at $35 for general admission per day or a VIP two-day pass of $120.
The 2005-06 IRB 7s World Series broke all previous attendance and broadcast figures, and the 2006-07 series shows no sign of abating in growth. Last year, the eight tournaments drew 1,147 hours of airtime and reached 187 million homes.
A New Home in Petco Park
The tournament relocated to San Diego’s Petco Park from Carson’s Home Depot Center for a number of reasons. First, Petco seats 44,000 while Home Depot holds 23,000. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, and spectators are afforded spectacular panoramic views of the bay, downtown skyline and mountains on the horizon. Second, the 18-acre Park is conveniently located within walking distance to quality hotels, three blocks from the world-renowned Gaslamp District and one block from a superb mass transit rail system. The set-up is ideal for rugby fans flying in for the weekend. Third, Petco allows re-entry into the stadium; therefore, you can watch your favorite teams compete and then take a break in the Fan Festival (located in Petco’s main parking lot).
The Party
What is special about the Hong Kong 7s, and what keeps fans returning year after year, is the energy and party atmosphere found in and around the stadium. The USA 7s hopes to emulate that feel in the stands and in the streets. The tournament itself is a great place to reunite with old rugby buddies. The stands are partitioned by country (although fans may purchase tickets where they please), thereby making it easier to run into compatriots.
Fan Festival
In Petco’s main parking lot, the international Fan Festival features live music all day, team villages with ethnic food, wine and beer gardens, kids’ competition and play area, merchandise vendors and sponsor goods, and a coach’s clinic. All ticket holders receive free entry into the festival.
For more information, visit www.usasevens.com.