WHY THE CANADIAN RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE EPIC

This article was created by Tourism Calgary and can be found here> https://www.visitcalgary.com/story/canadian-rugby-championship

Photo credit: J. Ashley Nixon

----------------------

Every year, the best men’s rugby players in Canada battle it out for the glory of the MacTier Cup. This year, they’re coming to Calgary with the Canadian Rugby Championship - and it’s not something you’re going to want to miss!

What is the Canadian Rugby Championship?

The Canadian Rugby Championship (CRC) is the ultimate game experience for rugby fans. Since 1998, the highest level of men’s rugby players from across the country have come together annually to compete for the MacTier Cup. Four teams representing different regions of Canada will be competing this year in Calgary for the glory - the BC Bears, the Prairie Wolfpack (Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba), the Ontario Blues and the Atlantic Rock (Quebec & The Maritimes).

The best rugby players in Canada are bringing the action to Calgary this year, with the games kicking off on Thursday, August 23 at the Calgary Rugby Park, located at 9025 Shephard Road SE. It’s an exciting event for rugby fanatics, and wonderful for families interested in the sport.

What does the event involve?

There will be four games played at the Canadian Rugby Championship. The kickoff games will run first on Thursday, August 23. At 5:00 p.m., the Ontario Blues will compete with the BC Bears, and at 7:00 p.m., the Pairies Wolfpack will compete with Atlantic Rock. On Sunday, August 26, the losing team from each game will battle it out at the Bronze match at 12:00 p.m. and the two winning teams will fight at the Gold match at 2:00 p.m.

This is a high stakes rugby championship with the best athletes from across Canada competing - it’s going to be epic.

What does this event involve mean for the athletes?

Winning this championship is a huge deal for the athletes, especially this year. Canada is still trying to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, and this year, the best players from the Canadian Rugby Championship will be picked from these games to play on Canada’s national team. Not only will the winning team score the MacTier cup, but players are fighting for their shot to play on the Canadian national team - which may move them to the Rugby World Cup. The stakes are high!

Who will you see compete?

The four teams competing are filled with all-star players from across Canada. Cheer on local Prairies Wolf Pack players Grant Cowell, Robbie Povey and Nik Blevins - and make sure to watch out for national players like Guiseppe De Toit (BC Bears),  Andrew Ferguson (Ontario Blues), and Cooper Coats (Atlantic Rock).

Who should go?

Anyone who likes rugby will have an amazing time at the Canadian Rugby Championship. The venue is family friendly (with a playground for the little ones), so bring the whole family down! Whether you play or watch rugby, you’ll have a ton of fun at this national championship sporting event.

How can I go to the event?

The Canadian Rugby Championship will take place at the Calgary Rugby Park, located at 9025 Shepard Rd SE. There is on-site parking available, and the Calgary Transit #24 bus route from Downtown stops close by the event.

You can purchase tickets online in advance. Get your pass for the Thursday, August 23 games and the Sunday, August 26 bronze & gold games. Tickets allow you to see both games on each day.

Make sure to get all the action by following Wolfpack Rugby on Twitter and Facebook, and visiting http://www.wolfpackrugby.com/for more information!

Tourism Calgary is available 24/7 to help you explore the city! Click on the message button on the bottom right corner of your screen to start a chat with us, message us on Facebook Messenger, or tweet using #AskMeYYC to ask your Calgary questions!