Written: Rory Jones
Source: Sports Pro Media
The US-based elite men’s and women’s Premier Rugby Sevens competition will expand to an eight-team format for 2023, the organisers have announced.
For its third season, the number of Premier Rugby Sevens franchises are set to double and be divided into four-team Eastern and Western conferences.
Two new franchises based in Northern California and Western Pennsylvania will join the league for the upcoming campaign, with the New York Locals and Texas Team, who were both part of the inaugural season in 2021, returning. The two new franchises will be named by suggestions from fans.
Owned and operated under a centralised model, all eight franchises will field a men’s and women’s team to play a 40-game schedule culminating in a championship weekend.
“The fan response to Premier Rugby Sevens has been off the charts,” said Owen Scannell, the competition’s chief executive.
“We wanted to give our fans the chance to have a professional team of their own and place teams into cities and markets.
“Our franchises will build localised fandom, engage with the local communities involved with and adjacent to rugby, and provide pathway opportunities for athletes.”
