Written By: Ken Kerschbaumer
Source: Sports Video Group
Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7) says it set a new standard at the 2024 PR7s All-Star Tournament at Providence Park in Portland, OR, on Nov. 17, surpassing historical benchmarks for the competition and elevating rugby in North America. Drawing a record-breaking crowd of nearly 5,000 loud and energetic fans in the pouring rain, PR7s delivered an unforgettable showcase of elite rugby, featuring six electrifying professional matches, including the U.S. and Canadian National Team, 25 Olympians, and nine medalists.
The event featured the U.S. women’s and men’s national teams and the Canadian women’s national team competing on American soil for the first time since the Paris Olympics, including 19 Paris competitors and nine medalists. For the United States and Canada, it was both a proving ground for emerging talent and a stepping stone toward the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“The success of the PR7s All-Star Tournament shows that rugby has arrived in the United States,” says Owen Scannell, CEO of Premier Rugby Sevens. “The record-breaking attendance and global broadcast reach are clear signals that this summer has changed the game for the sport. Smashing records on a cold and rainy day with a super engaged crowd that turned up with less than a month’s notice shows the excitement for rugby’s moment is here to stay and we are proud to be part of making it happen.”
Emilie Bydwell, head coach of the U.S. women’s national team, says the tournament was invaluable for the U.S. women’s team which is integrating young and emerging players.
“Events like these provide critical opportunities for athletes to battle-test themselves against top-tier competition while preparing for what lies ahead,” she says. “Our partnership with PR7s allows players to showcase their abilities in a bigtime environment where the lights are bright.”
While the spotlight shone brightly on the Olympians and international stars, the PR7s All-Star Tournament also celebrated rugby at the grassroots level. The day included three amateur matches showcasing regional, collegiate, and youth talent, including the Oregon Rugby Sports Union (ORSU) and the University of Oregon. Fifteen local rugby clubs participated in the fan fest, registering new members and growing the reach of the game. The tournament featured a youth game between the Pacific Northwest Loggers and TOA Idaho, highlighting the next generation of rugby talent. PR7s is committed to growing rugby in America through its PR7s Rise initiative.
The event aired on FS2 in the U.S. and RugbyPass TV internationally and 1.5 million unique accounts were reached organically in a single day (Nov. 17). There were 95,700 YouTube views and 2.2 million organic Instagram views of event content and 12.2 million cumulative reach through collaborations, partnerships, and features surrounding the event.
