(PORTLAND, Dec. 11, 2024) – Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7) set a new standard at the 2024 PR7s All-Star Tournament at Providence Park on Nov. 17, smashing 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 success of the PR7s All-Star Tournament shows that rugby has arrived in the United States,” said 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 rugby’s moment is here to stay and we are proud to be part of making it happen.”
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.
“This tournament was invaluable for our team, especially as we integrate young and emerging players,” said Emilie Bydwell, head coach of the U.S. women’s national team. “Events like these provide critical opportunities for athletes to battle-test themselves against top-tier competition while preparing for what lies ahead. 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.
Highlights of the PR7s All-Star Tournament include:
Commercial:
- Providence Park hosted the largest live audience in PR7s history with an on-hand crowd of nearly 5,000.
- Ticket sales surpassed the previous record by 39% and revenue by 49%.
- Record-breaking event, despite the announcement and on-sale less than one month prior to the tournament and cold wet conditions.
Broadcast, Digital, and Social:
- The event aired on FS2 in the U.S. and RugbyPass TV internationally.
- 1.5 million unique accounts were reached organically in a single day (Nov. 17).
- 95.7k YouTube views and 2.2 million organic Instagram views of event content
- 12.2 million cumulative reach through collaborations, partnerships, and features surrounding the event.
Rugby:
- The event featured 25 Olympians, including 19 men and women who competed in the 2024 Paris Games.
- The women’s active rosters included three Olympic medalists from the U.S. (bronze) and four medalists from Canada (silver). Additional U.S. bronze medalists participated in Portland as a coach (Sammy Sullivan) and a broadcaster (Spiff Sedrick).
- Four PR7s players made their national team debuts: Peter Sio Jr., Autumn LoCicero, Autumn Czaplicki, and Alyssa Porter.
- The event marked the first formal partnership between PR7s and Rugby Canada (PR7s has been sanctioned by USA Rugby since 2021).
- Alyssa Porter made her first-ever U.S. national team appearance, a journey that started when she was discovered at a PR7s ID program two years ago.
- Monique Coffey would receive her first call-up to Rugby Canada after appearing for the PR7s All-Stars.
About Premier Rugby Sevens
Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s), the highest professional level of rugby sevens in the United States and a proud partner of USA Rugby, is a revolutionary circuit showcasing the most electric men’s and women’s athletes on the planet. PR7s brings the global excitement of rugby through a fast-paced, high-scoring on-field experience, complemented by engaging fan festivals throughout North America. As a traveling circuit with a focus on North America, PR7s is the fastest, toughest, and most electrifying game on the planet and the first sports organization of its kind, with men’s and women’s teams competing under one umbrella with equal pay. To learn more about Premier Rugby Sevens, go to PRSevens.com and follow the league on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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Contact: Eric Nemeth
Premier Rugby Sevens
eric.nemeth@prsevens.com
