NEW YORK, N.Y. – The World RFL has announced that ESPN+ will stream the $1 million NYC Champion Sevens rugby tournament live from Red Bull Arena on Saturday, July 15. Coverage will be available to ESPN+ subscribers, along with ESPN international networks in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Sub-Saharan Africa. ESPN+ will stream nine hours of NYC Champion Sevens programming, including 16 games starting at 11:45 a.m.
“The World RFL’s inaugural event will showcase World Rugby’s greatest sevens teams fighting for World Rugby’s richest-ever prize of $1 million cash,” says William Tatham, Esq., World RFL founder and commissioner. “It’s only fitting that this great championship be live on the industry-leading sports streaming service, ESPN+.”
Nations scheduled to participate in the NYC Champion Sevens include New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, France, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, and the United States. The tournament is sanctioned by the U.S. Olympic Committee and World Cup governing body, USA Rugby.
The World RFL was founded to establish America’s first professional major rugby sevens league. The league’s start-up will target expansion of two playoff tournaments leading to the RFL’s 2024 Champion Sevens, with the three tournaments in 2024 offering a total prize of $4 million. Through collaboration with USA Rugby, the World RFL has committed to developing the league’s six-year growth into the top 16 U.S. media markets, producing and distributing a range of sports, entertainment, and gaming content; marketing initiatives; and grassroots programs aimed at educating and engaging America and the world’s rugby fans and players.
