Six Nations: World Rugby offers to help switch fixture to USA - BBC Sport
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"In terms of the match-day economics, [South Africa vs New Zealand] is like a Six Nations match. It starts to show that [financial return] is not the barrier. So if there is the appetite to take some of these big matches in the future to the US, we can now." - Alan Gilpin, World Rugby chief executive
World Rugby would support any nation wanting to switch a Six Nations match to the United States as part of its drive to grow the game stateside. With major tournaments like the Rugby World Cups planned for 2031 and 2033 in the US, there's an effort to bring more prestigious fixtures across the Atlantic.
Recent examples include:
- South Africa vs New Zealand at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, attracting a sold-out crowd of 71,000.
- Ireland's historic win over New Zealand at Soldier Field, Chicago, in 2016.
- Other matches involving New Zealand and Fiji in the US over the past decade.
World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin highlights the potential to engage expatriate fans, particularly Irish and Italian supporters in the US, with Six Nations games held in cities like Boston or New York. While such a long-haul venue switch would be unprecedented, World Rugby is open to discussing the idea.