Organisers of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 today announced strong initial ticket sales and urged fans who plan to attend the event in San Francisco next July to purchase tickets soon before the event sells out.

In the first seven days since tickets were released onto the market, an incredible 13,416 three-day packages (that’s a record 40,248 tickets altogether) have been sold via the tournament website. Already, fans from every single state in the USA have bought tickets with the majority of them coming from California. Further afield, supporters in Canada and the UK are represented well but, amazingly, tickets have been bought from a total of 36 nations, indicating that RWC Sevens 2018 is going to have a truly international feel.

With thousands more supporters from the Bay Area, throughout North America and around the world expected to seek tickets, they are being urged not to delay any longer or else they could be left empty-handed.

USA Rugby CEO Dan Payne said: “We knew this would be a popular tournament. The importance we are placing on delivering a successful event and how that ties with growing the game in America can't be overstated. The first week of ticket sales has exceeded even our own, lofty, expectations. The risk now is that fans who don’t act fast could actually miss out so we’re publishing this appeal for everyone who wants to see the world’s best sevens players in action at the highest level to go to the website today and book their seats.

“This is a major priority for USA Rugby. We want the world to see that we can put on a great show and make RWC Sevens 2018 the biggest and best one so far. This is a once-off opportunity for rugby lovers in San Francisco and elsewhere in the US to be a part of this amazing tournament right here on American soil.

“It’s also about showcasing rugby sevens to a generation of new American fans, who love to attend big live sporting occasions but who maybe haven’t been to a rugby event before. We think they will be blown away by the excitement, athleticism and skill on display in AT&T Park. But they’d better move quickly because tickets are disappearing fast.”

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR RWC SEVENS 2018 >>

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “This is very encouraging for the tournament. To sell that many tickets in the very first week shows just how many people in the Bay Area and beyond are looking forward to experiencing Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018. With just less than a year to go now, excitement is already building for what is sure to be a wonderful celebration of rugby in front of huge crowds in AT&T Park.

“I just hope that people don’t leave it too late because if initial sales are anything to go by, tickets will not be available for much longer.”

If you have secured your match tickets and are looking for accommodation, the official North American tour operator has packages available HERE or via email at info@usaeaglestours.com. Official international travel packages will be announced shortly and available by visiting rwcsevens.com/tickets.

From 20-22 July, 2018, the tournament will bring together the world’s top 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams for three days of intense competition at this world-class and iconic venue, which is home to the San Francisco Giants baseball team. New Zealand will be trying to retain the 2013 men’s and women’s titles they won in Moscow, while Olympic Games gold medal winners Fiji (men) and Australia (women), among others, will be pushing them all the way. Both USA teams – men’s and women’s – will be there to wow local audiences in an effort to keep the cups Stateside.

With rugby sevens at the cutting edge of fan-experience, a new, innovative format has been introduced for the tournament ensuring that every single match is critical for teams looking to progress to the final stages.

An important element of RWC Sevens 2018 will be the rugby legacy it leaves behind once the cups have been presented, the posts are hauled down and the baseball mound re-laid. To that end, USA Rugby is appointing nine regional development officers in the Bay Area to help enhance the growth and make the most of the buzz created by what goes on in AT&T Park.

Payne added: “We are fortunate to have a really engaged local community, led by San Francisco’s Mayor Ed Lee, who has been very supportive, and we're looking forward to delivering a tremendous event that showcases all our great sport has to offer to the city and surrounding region.”

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With sevens having made a spectacular debut at the Olympic Games at Rio 2016, and the ongoing success and growth of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series including the HSBC USA Sevens every year, the sport has never enjoyed such a prominent global spotlight as it continues to grow beyond the traditional rugby heartlands.

Qualifying for the tournament kicked off last December and with the identities of 15 men’s and 10 women's teams already known, anticipation is growing that RWC Sevens 2018 will provide yet another boost to the sport in what is an important growth market.