Washington, DC (September 23, 2012) – One of the country’s most spirited and respected rivalries will take center stage when the Army Black Knights of West Point face the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen in men’s collegiate rugby at 1:00 pm EDT on Saturday, Oct. 23 at FedExField. Event promoter Left Field Live announced today that the interservice Army-Navy match will serve as a preliminary competition prior to the 1874 Cup featuring the Team USA Eagles vs. New Zealand All Blacks match set for 3:00 pm EDT.

“We’re thrilled and grateful to be a part of this historic event in a phenomenal venue. We also very much appreciate the opportunity to share the fierce Army-Navy rivalry with a broader rugby fan base in an event that will attract global attention,” said Matt Sherman, Army Head Coach

“We’re very excited to face Army as part of the 1874 Cup celebrations. FedExField in our nation’s capital is a fitting venue for the Cadets of West Point and the Midshipmen of Annapolis to square off against each other in another round of our fiercely contested rivalry,” explained Gavin Hickie, Navy’s Director of Rugby. “We want to offer our deepest thanks to the Washington Football Team, Events DC, Left Field Live along with the USA Eagles and New Zealand All Blacks for working so hard to make this special event happen. Go Navy, Beat Army.”

No matter the sport, the venue in which it’s played or each team’s records, the Army-Navy rivalry always embodies the best of competition by displaying mutual respect and honor that helps provide a great experience for fans on each side.  Both teams are undefeated this fall with Army boasting wins over Queens of Charlotte and Notre Dame (Ohio), while Navy has defeated Air Force and St. Bonaventure.

Looking ahead to a busy fall with qualification for the 2023 France Rugby World Cup as a prime objective, the United States are excited to be hosting  New Zealand as they lead the effort to bring the Rugby World Cup to the United States in 2027 or 2031 for the men and 2029 for the women.

Meanwhile the legendary All Blacks are making their debut in the nation’s capital and first visit back to the States since 2016.

For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com

Full event details are available at washingtonfootball.com/rugby

Media Contacts:

Steve Winter – 202-468-8100, swinter@aboutsage.com
Brian Bishop – 202-468-8400, bbishop@aboutsage.com

To apply for media credentials, please complete the application at https://usarug.by/1874Media

ABOUT THE ALL BLACKS

With a history extending back more than a century, New Zealand’s national rugby team, the All Blacks, is not only the most successful international rugby team of all time but also one of the most successful teams in world sport, with a winning Test record of more than 75 percent. The All Blacks play European opponents every year in the Steinlager Series and again at the end of the year, and play Argentina, Australia and South Africa annually in the Investec Rugby Championship. In 2015 the All Blacks became the first team to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups, following their victory in 2011, and the first team to win three RWCs, with the All Blacks winning the inaugural Tournament in 1987. In 2013 they became the first international team in the professional era to go through the season unbeaten. The team has been named the World Rugby Team of the Year a record nine times and was Laureus Team of the Year in 2016.

ABOUT USA RUGBY

Founded in 1975, USA Rugby is the national governing body for the sport of rugby in America, and a Full Sport Member of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and World Rugby. Currently headquartered in Glendale, Colorado, USA Rugby is charged with developing the game on all levels with over 110,000 active members. USA Rugby oversees four senior national teams, multiple Junior National Teams and an emerging Olympic development pathway for elite athletes. In 2009, Rugby returned to the Olympic movement. In 2011, USA Rugby became a full sport member of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and is now recognized by the USOPC as the governing body for rugby in the USA. Rugby Sevens is now played in the Olympic Games, next upcoming in Tokyo 2021.

ABOUT 1874 CUP

The first account of organized rugby being played in the United States was in 1874 in a collegiate match between Harvard University (Boston, MA) and McGill University (Montreal, Quebec).  The 1874 Cup pays homage to this first contest and recognizes the history and tradition of rugby in North America.  Planned as a regular event attracting the world’s best rugby teams to the United States capital city, Washington, DC, the 1874 Cup is designed to help grow awareness and interest in the sport amongst Americans as the country bids to host the Rugby World Cup in either 2027 or 2031 for the men and 2029 for the women.  

ABOUT EVENTS DC

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at www.RFKFields.com. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena, all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. Find us on social media – Facebook (Events DC), Twitter (@TheEventsDC and @TheEventsDC_SED for the Sports Entertainment and Special Events Division), and Instagram (@EventsDC).

About the Washington Football Team

Owned by Dan and Tanya Snyder since 1999, the Washington Football Team was founded in Boston in 1932 and is one of the original members of the NFL’s Eastern Division. The Washington Football Team relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1937 and has since become one of the most recognizable professional sports franchises in history, featuring multiple Hall of Fame coaches, 19 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and one recipient of the Walter Payton Man of The Year Award, Darrell Green. A proud and storied franchise, the Team has won five World Championship titles including the 1937 and 1942 National Football League Championship games, as well as Super Bowls XVII, XXII and XXVI. Since 1997, the Team has played their home games at FedExField, a multi-purpose stadium located in Landover, MD. Washington Football Team’s Football Operations are headquartered at the Inova Sports Performance Center in Ashburn, Virginia, and its Business Operations are headquartered at FedExField. 

 ABOUT LEFT FIELD LIVE

Left Field Live (LFL) is an international live sports events business created to help sports rights holders reach new and interesting markets.   LFL has delivered events across a range of sports including rugby union, international soccer, ice hockey, basketball, college football and baseball into markets like Australia, North America, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.  Left Field Live is the promoter for the 1874 Cup.