Allegheny County is set to make a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2031 and 2033, thanks to a major investment by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration.On Friday, the state Department of Community and Economic Development announced a nearly $5 million investment in 15 sporting events across the state through the Sports Marketing and Tourism Program, with $120,000 allocated to Visit Pittsburgh for facility installations to support Pittsburgh’s bid as a host site for the Rugby World Cup.”When I hear Pittsburgh’s a city, I’m like, this is perfect for it,” said Parker Mihelic, club captain for the Pittsburgh Harlequins.In a statement, Visit Pittsburgh said, “Sports tourism is a major economic driver for our region, and these funds will directly support development of the grassroots infrastructure necessary to meet the world-class standards required for an international tournament of this scale.”Mihelic says Highmark Stadium is a great starting point for the World Cup games to be played.”We use similar/same-size fields for the most part, so I know that would be an acceptable field,” Mihelic said. “We have enough pitches and soccer presence in the city already to have enough installations to support it.” The Rugby World Cup has never been held in the U.S., and the prospect of Pittsburgh hosting the event has the local rugby community excited.”Pittsburgh has always been the city for standing out, and I would love to see rugby grow in Pittsburgh,” Mihelic said.This bid is for the men’s World Cup in 2031 and the women’s World Cup in 2033.
Allegheny County is set to make a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2031 and 2033, thanks to a major investment by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration.
On Friday, the state Department of Community and Economic Development announced a nearly $5 million investment in 15 sporting events across the state through the Sports Marketing and Tourism Program, with $120,000 allocated to Visit Pittsburgh for facility installations to support Pittsburgh’s bid as a host site for the Rugby World Cup.
“When I hear Pittsburgh’s a city, I’m like, this is perfect for it,” said Parker Mihelic, club captain for the Pittsburgh Harlequins.
In a statement, Visit Pittsburgh said, “Sports tourism is a major economic driver for our region, and these funds will directly support development of the grassroots infrastructure necessary to meet the world-class standards required for an international tournament of this scale.”
Mihelic says Highmark Stadium is a great starting point for the World Cup games to be played.
“We use similar/same-size fields for the most part, so I know that would be an acceptable field,” Mihelic said. “We have enough pitches and soccer presence in the city already to have enough installations to support it.”
The Rugby World Cup has never been held in the U.S., and the prospect of Pittsburgh hosting the event has the local rugby community excited.
“Pittsburgh has always been the city for standing out, and I would love to see rugby grow in Pittsburgh,” Mihelic said.
This bid is for the men’s World Cup in 2031 and the women’s World Cup in 2033.