Competing for the first time since Paris, Olympic bronze medalists USA Rugby will feature in Portlands's Premier Rugby Sevens All-Star Tournament next month.
The one-day event will pit Team USA against the PR7s All-Stars across multiple 14-minute matches.
"We anticipate this event to be a record-setting tournament for rugby fans in the US," said PR7s founder and CEO Owen Scannell. "Our PR7s All-Star format ensures high-level competition as the US national teams prepare to return to international competition... We’re thrilled to make history with USA Rugby."
Premier Rugby Sevens leads the sport
The USA Rugby-sanctioned PR7s is a 16-team touring league at the highest level of rugby sevens competition in the US. Since its 2021 launch, the league has also enshrined equal pay into its fiscal model. Boasting the sport's top domestic talent, PR7s next season will kick off in summer 2025.
PR7s was well-represented in Paris as a full 21 of the league's athletes found their way onto the Olympic podium. Five helped New Zealand win back-to-back gold and four boosted silver-medalists Canada to their best Olympic result yet. Plus, a full 12 of the 14 athletes on Team USA's bronze medal-winning roster have played on the PR7s pitch.
Harnessing Olympic success to grow US rugby
Next month's PR7s All-Star Tournament aims to capitalize on this summer's Olympic medal moment in growing the sport.
"This is a great opportunity for fans to see our Olympians back in action and for rugby to continue building momentum in the US with our partners at PR7s," said USA Rugby CEO Bill Goren on Tuesday.
Even before last summer's medal matches, the Paris Games' rugby sevens competition drew sold-out crowds of over 66,000 fans and built celebrity followings.
Team USA's bronze, the first Olympic medal ever won by the US in rugby sevens, sparked instant support for the sport domestically, from fans and investors alike. Only hours after the medal ceremony, the US team received a $4 million investment from women's sports owner and new rugby sevens fan Michele Kang to support a run to LA's 2028 podium.
The PR7s All-Star Tournament is the next step in the sport's domestic growth. Even more, it's the first competition where fans can celebrate their Olympic heroes on home soil.
How to buy tickets to the PR7s All-Star Tournament in Portland
The tournament kicks off at 5 PM ET on November 17th at Portland's Providence Park, with tickets available via SeatGeek.