Debut of new global tournament sees First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park host world-class international rugby action this summer

Cary, N.C. (March 31, 2026) — World Rugby, USA Rugby and TEG Rugby Live announced today the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup is coming to Cary, North Carolina this summer. The USA Eagles are set to face Spain at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on July 18th, as world-class international rugby returns to the Tar Heel State.

Tickets for these matches will go on pre-sale on Tuesday, April 7th, with general sale following on Thursday, April 9th at 10am local time. Fans can register HERE to get early access to tickets.

The competition sees the 12 unions who qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 compete in a structured environment designed to accelerate competitiveness and create certainty of meaningful annual test fixtures with revenue opportunities. The exciting schedule balances geographic spread, player welfare, logistics cost and developmental opportunity, providing fans with clarity, teams with certainty and unions with commercial opportunities. The Nations Cup gives them an annual platform to test themselves against comparable opposition, refine systems and optimize experience ahead of Australia 2027.

The 12 participating unions will compete in two pools of six, ensuring a consistent, meaningful calendar across the July and November international windows. Pool A – Americas & Pacific pool – features Canada, Chile, Samoa, Tonga, Uruguay and the USA, bringing together fast‑growing unions across both hemispheres. Pool B – Europe, Asia and Africa pool – comprises Georgia, Hong Kong China, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Zimbabwe, creating a competitive cross‑regional group with diverse playing styles and passionate supporter bases.

All matches will be available to US viewers on Paramount+ and globally on RugbyPass TV.

USA Rugby CEO, Bill Goren added, “Consistent competition for our senior national teams continues to be a primary goal at USA Rugby, as we look to grow on the global stage. The World Rugby Nations Cup and these first three fixtures at home are excellent opportunities for our Men's Eagles, and for USA fans to gather around them. With the series kicking off during our national holiday, we're thrilled to play as the USA and celebrate with our rugby community.”

“We’re excited to welcome international rugby back to WakeMed Soccer Park for the first time since 2015,” said Cary’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources director John Collins. “This is such a versatile facility and our staff does an incredible job supporting a wide range of events from professional soccer and NCAA championships to festivals, high school football and youth sports. And what makes it all work is that our community really shows up.”

Hill Carrow, CEO of the Triangle Sports Commission, and chair and CEO of the 2029 World University Games, said, "Thanks to our working relationship on the 2029 World University Games, Patrick Stack of Anthem Rugby reached out to me to get the local process started for hosting this exciting international rugby event in Cary. With the experience of the Triangle Sports Commission in having hosted the 2015 Rugby Olympic Qualification Tournament and 2016 USA Rugby 7s Collegiate Nationals at WakeMed, combined with our goal of making this a test event for the World University Games rugby competition, the World Rugby Nations Cup promises to be a tremendous event for our region and state."

“The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) works to promote our area’s world‑class venues and to help bring major sporting events to Raleigh, Cary and the surrounding communities,” said Scott Dupree, executive director of the GRSA. “Hosting a World Rugby Nations Cup event at WakeMed Soccer Park places Cary at the center of the sport’s widespread growth and global excitement. It also reinforces the region’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier destinations for major sporting events.”

WORLD RUGBY NATIONS CUP – North Carolina Match Schedule
(All times local)

July 11th - American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC
USA vs Zimbabwe - 7:30pm

July 18th - First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC
USA vs Spain - 7:30pm

View the full Nations Cup schedule online here.

About USA Rugby
Established in 1975, USA Rugby is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of rugby in America and a Full Sport Member of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Currently headquartered in Glendale, Colorado, USA Rugby is charged with developing the game on all levels and has more than 100,000 active members across the Youth, High School, College and Senior club level. USA Rugby oversees four national teams, multiple age-grade programs, and an emerging Olympic development pathway for elite athletes. In 2031 and 2033, USA Rugby will welcome the world for the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cup, the pinnacle event in the sport and third largest in the word. Visit usa.rugby for more information.

About World Rugby
World Rugby is the global governing body for rugby union. With a mandate to grow the sport by increasing accessibility and relevance, World Rugby is the owner and organizer of some of the world’s largest sporting events, including the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups. Owing to the commercial success of men’s Rugby World Cup France 2023, World Rugby is investing a record £300 million directly in rugby’s growth between 2024-27, a 28 per cent increase on the previous four-year cycle. With men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups taking place in Australia (men 2027 and women 2029) and the USA (men 2031 and women 2033), World Rugby has a transformative runway of certainty and opportunity to drive new participation and revenue opportunities. 

About TEG Sport
TEG Sport is a producer and promoter of live sporting events featuring the world’s biggest sporting teams and brands. TEG Sport is owned by TEG, a leading global live entertainment, ticketing, and technology business which operates globally and includes Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Ticketek UK, Ticketek New Zealand, Ticketek Malaysia, Ticketek Philippines, Ticketek Singapore, Eventopia, Softix, TEG Dainty, TEG Sport, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, SXSW Sydney, TEG Theatrical, MJR Presents, TEG Life Like Touring, Brickman, TEG Rockefeller, TEG Rugby Live, TEG Europe, Propaganda, TEG Live USA, Qudos Bank Arena, FAN+, VIP NOW, and Ovation.

Media Contact
Callum Squires
Director – SRK Strategies
210-663-0739
callum@srkstrategies.com

###