In what will be the first of three matches in North America, the Rugby League Football International Challenge is stopping in Denver this summer.
Denver is going international. The Mile High City will be hosting the Rugby League Football International Challenge. The first of three matches will take place at the Broncos' stadium, which has (still) yet to be named, on June 23, and will see England go against New Zealand. The match marks the 17th time the countries have played one another, but it'll be the first time they've done so on American soil, according to event organizers. When: Saturday, June 23, at 11:30 a.m. Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High Tickets for the Denver match go on sale on Monday, March 5, at 10 a.m. They can be purchased at rugbyleaguechallenge.com. [caption id="attachment_33997" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Courtesy of Rugby League Challenge[/caption]
"This test match is an opportunity to showcase the highest level of our sport in the North American market, which has significant participation and commercial potential," said Reon Edwards, chairman of the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL), in the Herald.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again in 2019 and 2020, but where these matches will take place has yet to be announced.
Officials are hoping that this will help spark an interest in the sport within the United States, and Edwards even said, "Growing our game internationally has to be a priority -- think of the opportunities we could create for our game if it was a genuine international sport played all over the world."
All of this is leading to the Rugby League World Cup in 2025.
What do you think? Are you a fan of rugby? Will you be attending the match this summer? Let us know in the comments below, and let's get the conversation started.