MATTHEWS, NC -  The North Carolina Youth Rugby Union (NCYRU) is hosting the 12th Annual Ruggerfest March 7th & 8th.  The event will bring in more than 1,000 high school, middle school, and elementary school rugby players--plus their families--to Mecklenburg County from all over the Eastern Seaboard and Midwest.  More than 40 youth rugby teams in divisions ranging from 2nd graders through 12th graders, will participate in the event.

Ruggerfest will be held at the Mecklenburg County SportsPlex in Matthews, NC. The Sportsplex hosted Ruggerfest last year just after its grand opening, already paying dividends as a national sporting events draw for the county.  Ruggerfest will utilize all 5 of the full-sized all-weather field turf fields at the Sportsplex.  

With many of the teams traveling from out of town or out of state to participate in one of the nation’s largest youth rugby tournaments, Carolina Ruggerfest is expected to once again bring  a huge economic boost to hotels, restaurants, and shops in the area around the SportsPlex.  The NCYRU and Mecklenburg County Parks & Rec have already agreed to host the event at the new SportsPlex for the next 2 years.  The positive economic impact for the area last year was estimated to be more than $300,000.

The event is open to the general public, with rugby matches happening back-to-back from 8am to 5pm on Saturday and until 2pm on Sunday, March 7th & 8th.  One $5 ticket gets spectators into all events on both days.  A College Showcase Match between Clemson and Wheeling Jesuit (college rugby powerhouses) will also be played at nearby Butler High School Saturday evening.  A middle school girls exhibition match and JV college match are the curtain raisers for the showcase match.  Gates at Butler HS open at 5pm.

The greater Charlotte area is a national hotbed for youth rugby, with more elementary, middle and high school teams concentrated in one area than most other areas in the United States.  This along with world class facilities is what draws teams from near and far to come participate in Ruggerfest year after year.