World Rugby has announced that Vancouver will join the global line-up of major city destinations for the World Rugby Sevens Series from 2015-16.

As predicted in a recent Goff Rugby Report column, the rugby-made city will join the World Series, and is expected to be part of a two-weekend stop in North America, with Las Vegas following on a week later (probably in March).

A renowned international tourism, business and major sports event destination, the event will take place at the impressive and innovative indoor BC Place stadium in the heart of the city. 

Rugby Canada’s successful Vancouver bid follows an extensive and competitive tender process that saw 25 destinations bid to host the Olympic sport and comes with the full support of national and provincial government that reflects rugby sevens’ enormous appeal in the global sports hosting marketplace.

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “As we move towards Rio 2016, the Olympic sport of rugby sevens is going from strength to strength and the World Rugby Sevens Series has been at the heart of the global sevens success story with its winning brand of high-octane competitive and broadcast- friendly action, global locations and festival atmosphere.

“Vancouver is world-renowned event location and a city with a tremendous track record of hosting incredible events, like the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Its inclusion within a stellar Series hosting line-up is great for players, great for fans and great for the ongoing prosperity and development of rugby in Canada and around the globe.

“Vancouver’s inclusion is exciting for World Rugby and will boost the sport’s ability to inspire fans in established and developing rugby markets, and contribute to the continued growth of the game and its character-building values worldwide.” 

The successful brand positioning behind the bid New Place, New Face, New Force reflects Rugby Canada’s bold vision for the growth of the sport and fan base through the dynamism of rugby sevens. The World Rugby Sevens Series brings a unique fan experience leveraging entertainment, and an unrivalled atmosphere that is proving to be a hit in major cities around the globe.

Rugby Canada Chief Executive Graham Brown said: “Rugby Canada is incredibly excited to be hosting an official stop on the World Rugby Sevens Series in 2016. Hosting an event of this calibre, and bringing the world to Vancouver, is a huge opportunity to grow and strengthen rugby in Canada. Canadians from coast-to-coast will undoubtedly get behind our men’s sevens team at BC Place, especially with the excitement of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Summer Games on the horizon later that year.”