Ireland To Play Italy In Chicago In November

Ireland will return to Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, November 3 to play Italy as part of ‘The Rugby Weekend’ triple header.

USA Rugby and TLA Worldwide (TLA), along with host city partners Chicago Sports Commission (CSC) and Soldier Field, today announced that world-class international rugby will again return to Solider Field in Chicago for the latest edition of ‘The Rugby Weekend’.

The iconic NFL stadium will play host to three captivating international rugby matches over the course of one day, featuring the USA Men’s and Women’s Eagles taking on the Maori All Blacks and Women’s Rugby World Cup champions the Black Ferns respectively, as well as Ireland’s clash with Six Nations rivals Italy.

THE RUGBY WEEKEND 2018: Saturday, November 3

USA Women v New Zealand Women, Soldier Field, 12pm local time

Ireland v Italy, Soldier Field, 3pm local time/8pm Irish time

USA v Maori All Blacks, Soldier Field, 5.15pm local time

Tickets – priced from $40 – will go on sale at 2pm CST today in exclusive pre-sales for Chicago Bears and Citibank members, for an exclusive period of four days and two days respectively.

Additionally, all ticket purchasers of ‘The Rugby Weekend’ 2016 will be given a two-day window commencing 2pm CST this Friday to purchase tickets. All pre-sale tickets can be purchased by visiting www.therugbyweekend.com.
 
Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10am CST/4pm Irish time next Monday (May 21) at www.therugbyweekend.com.

All matches will take place at Soldier Field on Saturday November 3, with the USA Women’s Eagles opening the match line-up against 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup champions New Zealand, followed by Ireland against Italy, and finally the USA Men’s Eagles meet the Maori All Blacks.

The day is set to be a celebration of USA Rugby and the sport’s increasing participation across the country, and host city partners CSC and Soldier Field are looking forward to the landmark event.

Michael Kelly, General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District, said: “We are excited to welcome back premier rugby to the great city of Chicago this fall. Rugby has established a home at Soldier Field and Chicago due to the incredible success of the past three marquee matches. 

“The Chicago Park District has a thriving rugby programme and it’s marquee events like this that provide the support for our youth to participate in the numerous programmes we offer throughout Chicagoland.”

Kara Bachman, Executive Director of the Chicago Sports Commission, commented: “Chicago is a world-class sports city, and rugby has become a staple on our major events calendar. We’re thrilled to welcome back Ireland, New Zealand Maori and USA Rugby, and proud to host Italy and the first Women’s international Test match at Soldier Field.”
 
Mayor Rahm Emanuel expressed his excitement about the return of ‘The Rugby Weekend’, stating: “Chicago is an unparalleled sports town with an unmatched track record of hosting international sporting events. Fans from around the world will be inspired by Chicago’s cultural attractions, remarkable restaurants and love of rugby.”

IRFU Director of Commercial & Marketing, Padraig Power, said: “Irish Rugby is delighted to be returning to Chicago. In 2016 the Ireland team experienced tremendous support and made history in a week that also witnessed the Cubs celebrating their own piece of history on the streets of Chicago. We are looking forward to an exciting match against Italy who are a well-coached and dangerous team.”