I’ve been a faithful partygoer at the USA Sevens event since the inaugural competition in Carson, CA back in 2004. Since then its moved from the Home Depot Center to Petco Park in San Diego (2007) where the tournament rapidly grew into a party like atmosphere for people traveling from abroad and around the country.
During its three year stint in San Diego, the people of that beautiful city have helped precipitate the tournaments growth thanks to its clean environment, a bustling city with several amenities and a raucous rugby crowd. This year tournament Director Dan Lyle of USA Rugby has pulled stakes yet again and moved it to the desert, a decision that has everyone wondering, ‘Why ruin a good thing?’
But Lyle insists that it is a good business decision and points to Las Vegas’ easy access, its ability to provide entertainment and its global draw. Lyle believes that Las Vegas has the potential to compete with the IRB Sevens Series’ most popular destinations, Hong Kong, Dubai and Wellington, NZ.
Understandably it is a central location to some of the USA’s rugby breeding grounds. Although there are established clubs on the eastern seaboard, there seems to be a much larger fan base west of the Rockies and its 300 miles closer for USA Rugby Executives who are based in Boulder, CO.
Vegas is smack dab in the middle of hundreds of rugby clubs from California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and of course the new home of the USA Sevens, Nevada. I’m really looking forward to see how Vegas is going to top San Diego. Will it be as popular a draw as it was at Petco Park? Only time will tell but judging by the number of people I already know who are heading down this weekend, its going to be another powder keg ready to explode!
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