- The Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour will make its first stop of 2018, visiting Uruguay between 31 January – 3 February, 2018
- The Trophy Tour coincides with RWC 2019 qualifier between Uruguay and Canada in Montevideo on 3 February
- World Rugby confirms the 18 countries to be visited as part of the Trophy Tour
- Chile, India, Malaysia, Nepal and Pakistan will host the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time
- The Trophy Tour will inspire new audiences and participants through a programme of community, education and rugby activities in the lead up to the first Rugby World Cup in Asia
World Rugby has announced an exciting programme of international destinations as the Rugby World Cup 2019™ Trophy Tour kicks off in earnest with a visit to Montevideo, Uruguay, this week.
The Webb Ellis Cup will be in the Uruguay capital between 31 January and 3 February, culminating with the decisive Americas 2 Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifier at Estadio Charrua on 3 February.
Uruguay head into the second leg with a nine-point advantage following a 38-29 victory in Vancouver last weekend and the winner on aggregate will take their place in Pool D alongside Australia, Wales, Georgia and Fiji. Fans across the globe can watch the game live via World Rugby’s digital platforms, including live updates via @rugbyworldcup and @rugbyworldcupes.
Celebrating Asia, celebrating rugby
The Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour will see the Webb Ellis Cup travel across five continents and 18 nations as part of an international celebration of rugby in the lead up to Japan 2019.
The selection of destinations features a blend of strategic rugby growth markets, Asian nations involved in the Impact Beyond 2019 legacy programme and traditional markets, meaning more fans across more nations will be able to engage with the sport and the Trophy for the first time.
Rapidly-growing rugby markets Brazil, China, India, USA, Germany and Spain will play host to the tour, while Chile, Malaysia, Nepal and Pakistan will host the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time. France, Ireland, South Africa, Fiji, the Philippines and Hong Kong will also play host before the Webb Ellis Cup arrives in Japan for a national tour ahead of the tournament.
Click here for more information on the Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour destinations.
The Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour will inspire new audiences and participants through a programme of community, education and rugby activities. The two-year tour will engage a mix of established and emerging markets and in Asia it will support the dedicated Impact Beyond 2019 legacy programme which aims to attract and retain one million new participants (visit www.rugbyworldcup.com/impactbeyond2019 for details).
While in Uruguay the Webb Ellis Cup will be part of a full three-day build up to the all-to-play-for Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifier with Canada. The Trophy Tour will be visiting local schools, a Get Into Rugby Beach Rugby training session and Comcar prison where inmates will take part in a match and session with former Uruguay players.
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “We are delighted to be announcing a global schedule of Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour destinations. This programme will play a major role in promoting and celebrating rugby in markets that are of strategic importance to the growth of the game, while also providing a platform to showcase the excellent Impact Beyond 2019 legacy programme, that is welcoming more than one million new participants to the sport in Asia.”
The Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour is being supported by the six Rugby World Cup 2019 Worldwide Partners.
Fans across the world are now able to apply for team and stadium ticket packs, while supporter tours via official travel agents can now be purchased. Full information can be found at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets.
Mastercard, as a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2019, is offering those who apply for tickets using their Mastercard the chance to receive a double entry in the ticketing ballot for the opportunity to secure tickets to each of the matches they apply for.
Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour schedule
Full details on each leg to be announced in due course:
2018
January – Uruguay
March – Germany and Spain
May – Fiji
May – Hong Kong and China
July – Malaysia
July – Philippines
August – India
December – Nepal
2019
January – Ireland
January – France
February – South Africa
March – USA
March – Canada
April – Pakistan
May – Brazil
May – Chile
Japan will host the Cup in a nationwide tour prior to and during Rugby World Cup 2019.
Source: www.rugbyworldcup.com
