WHY THE USA SEVENS IS A HOT TICKET

Rugby is a sport that you live. There is an unrivaled camaraderie that is built on the rugby pitch that spans your entire life. And even if you never play an organized game of rugby but have come to know the game and reveled alongside its fans, you will never be able to purge it from your blood or scrub the beautiful stench of rugby from your skin.

So when the International Rugby Board (IRB) and USA Rugby announced that they were adding the United States as a leg of the IRB Sevens Series, you can imagine the buzz in rugby circles around the nation. (Okay, at the time there were only like, twelve of us in the whole country but it was still quite a buzz for me.)

Since 2004, when the USA Sevens first opened its doors, the event has grown from a more grassroots affair into a full-scale media blitz. Fans were skeptical at first and the reception was tepid at best but five years later, fans can’t wait for February to arrive (especially in recent years) to take part in the festivities and there are a few reasons why.

Venue
I don’t mean this in a derogatory way (nor do I intend to put my name on the “This Guy Is Banned From Visiting” list, after all I spent my summers in L.A.) but ever since the International Rugby Board and USA Rugby decided to move the USA Sevens from Carson’s Home Depot Center to San Diego’s Petco Park it’s been like a home away from home. Located near San Diego’s Gas Lamp District and just a few stone throw away from the beautiful San Diego bay, a mild climate and ample parking and facilities, this place is ideal for ruby fanatics to stretch their legs and enjoy international rugby at its finest.

Fan Festival
Inside the park is not the only place to find fun at the USA Sevens. Just outside the park the event organizers put together a host of games, music, vendors and a kids zone to give rugby fans a little bit more than just rugby. So when you’re not watching your favorite team scoring tries, you can hope over to the Fan Festival for a bite to eat, a drink, test your rugby skills in the Interactive Rugby Zone or buy merchandise at one of the many vendors on site.

The Competition
Argentina won the inaugural USA Sevens in 2004, but since then New Zealand has won it twice (2005, 2008), England captured the cup in 2006 and Fiji won it all in 2007. There are 16 teams in this years competition including the three aforementioned past champions. South Africa is way ahead in the standings after winning in Dubai and at home in George but New Zealand and England are hot on their heels heading into Wellington. As usual, Argentina, Samoa and Fiji are once again in the hunt, but need a good push heading into the Rugby World Cup Sevens when they return to Dubai in March.

The Crowd
After spending the first four years in the media centre with the rest of the writing stiffs, I decided last year to get a taste of the action in the stands. Four straight years I missed out on the fun and games amongst the fans. There is nothing more exhilarating than hearing fans cheer for their respective teams. From one end of the park to the other, likeminded fans huddle together and chant, yell, scream and proclaim their undying devotion to their teams until the whistle has blown and South Africans settle down to toast the brilliance of the Fijians. Or a Kenyan fan offers a nearby group of Brits a bag of popcorn. That’s the nature of rugby fans. We love the game enough to show our mutual respect for it at the end of the day.

What to do before you go:
Buy your tickets online at USASevens.com or you’ll be standing in line to get yours when the matches have started. If you haven’t booked a hotel yet you may still have time, but you’re probably going to pay a pretty penny to get a great rate in San Diego a week before the event. If you haven’t booked a rental car yet, no worries! The bus runs from the airport directly to the park. Just make sure you consult the Information Desk on routes and times.

What to do when you get there:
You’ll have no trouble finding parking at the venue. I like to park at the convention center because it is covered and it is secured but keep in mind that if you do park there its about a ten minute walk to the gates. If you ordered your tickets online, you’ll probably need to pick them up from will-call at the main ticket gate which is located opposite the Party Zone (the gate with the brick façade).

What to bring:
The wind whips through the park occasionally and its been known to be overcast, foggy and wet, especially during the morning and evening hours. So bring a sweat shirt or a light jacket. There are lots of food vendors in the park but bring a bottle of water if you can. Bring a camera to capture the athletes and the fun in the stands. Last but not least, bring a lot of good nature and fun but if you can’t, don’t worry there will be plenty of crazy, fun-loving fans with contagious energy.

For more information visit usasevens.com or irb.com/irbsevens