Charlotte will host international rugby matches this summer
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American Legion Memorial Stadium has seen everything from concerts to political rallies, plus festivals and sporting events. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Charlotte will host the men's national rugby team for two matches at American Legion Memorial Stadium this summer.
Why it matters: This will be the USA Eagles' first time competing here. Plus, there's a push for Charlotte to be a host city for the men's 2031 Rugby World Cup.
State of play: USA will take on Belgium on Saturday, July 5 at 7:30pm. Then, USA faces Spain on Saturday, July 12 at 7:30pm.
- Tickets go on sale March 28. Pre-sales start March 27.
Zoom in: Charlotte is home to Anthem Rugby Carolina, which has 11 USA Eagles on its roster.
- Anthem RC is playing its second season in Major League Rugby, the nation's top league. It primarily acts as a developmental team for the USA Eagles as they pursue the 2027 World Cup qualification.
Between the lines: The upcoming summer matches are a collaboration between USA Rugby (the sport's national governing body), World Rugby (the sport's international governing body) and TEG Sport (a live events producer).
- These matches extend beyond Charlotte, include both the men's and women's teams, and are being used to test America's appetite for the sport.
- The United States will host the men's World Cup in 2031 and the women's World Cup in 2033.
What we're watching: Charlotte is among 40 markets being considered as a host city for the 2031 World Cup, Ross Young, World Rugby general manager for U.S. operations, confirmed to Axios earlier this year.
- Bank of America Stadium is the ideal venue if Charlotte is selected as a host site. It can hold roughly 75,000 people, compared to American Legion Memorial Stadium's 10,500 capacity.
- Young says the goal is to narrow locations down to the tournament's core 12 venues by the end of 2026, adding that some venues haven't been built yet and others will naturally fall away.
- There will be several site visits to evaluate infrastructure and facilities throughout the coming months.
What they're saying: "The U.S. is a rapidly growing rugby market with strong commercial and hosting interest ahead of the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups," World Rugby chair Brett Robinson said in a statement. "This test series reflects our ambition to build a sustainable competition calendar that enhances performance, attracts new audiences, and fuels rugby's growth."
The big picture: Charlotte is a hotspot for sporting events, from the ACC men's basketball tournament last week to upcoming events like the PGA Championship, Savannah Bananas, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
- More events in Charlotte raise the city's profile, attract visitors and spur economic activity. Sports generated $179.6 million in economic impact in fiscal year 2024, according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority Association.
- "Our city has a rich sports culture, and hosting the USA
Eagles at American Legion Memorial Stadium is an incredible opportunity to showcase Charlotte as a premier destination for rugby," CRVA CEO, Steve Bagwell said in a statement.