Town of Cary, NC

04/09/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/09/2026 13:51

Tickets Now On Sale for International Rugby Return to Cary

  • Tickets are now on sale for the USA Eagles vs. Spain match on July 18 at WakeMed Soccer Park, marking the return of international rugby to Cary after more than a decade.
  • Cary will serve as the final stop of the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup U.S. series, following matches in Denver and Charlotte.
  • Fans can purchase tickets online.

Cary, NC - Tickets are now on sale for the World Rugby Nations Cup match at WakeMed Soccer Park, bringing professional international rugby back to Cary as the final stop of the tournament's inaugural U.S. series. Following earlier matches in Denver and Charlotte, the global competition culminates in Cary on July 18 when the USA Eagles face Spain at First Horizon Stadium.

"We're thrilled to welcome international rugby back to WakeMed Soccer Park for the first time in more than a decade," said Cary's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director John Collins. "This match brings another high-level international event to a facility built to host it, and we can't wait for all the fans to experience it here in Cary."

In 2015, Cary hosted the NACRA Sevens Championships at WakeMed Soccer Park, where the USA Rugby Men's Eagles Sevens secured their place in the 2016 Summer Olympics with a 21-5 win over Canada.

This year's inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup features 12 national teams competing in a structured format designed to elevate international competition ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Teams will compete in two pools of six across the July and November international windows, creating consistent, meaningful matchups for players and fans alike.

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

WakeMed Soccer Park continues to anchor Cary's growing portfolio of high-profile sports events in 2026. It serves as the home of several resident teams and events, including the NC Courage, the women's professional soccer team; an expanded The Soccer Tournament (TST) alongside The Cary Cup youth soccer tournament; and the NCAA Division 1 Women's and Men's soccer championships in December.

Fans can purchase their tickets and view the full Nations Cup schedule online.

About Cary, North Carolina

With excellence and innovation at its core, Cary is a thriving community of around 190,000 residents representing more than 60 nationalities, positioned at the heart of North Carolina's renowned Research Triangle region. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 Best Place to Live in North Carolina and No. 5 in the nation for 2025-2026, Cary is known for its safe neighborhoods, extensive greenways, environmental stewardship, and premier sports and cultural venues. Its "people first" philosophy drives collaboration, adaptability, and forward-thinking public investments that make Cary an exceptional place to call home and an inspiring destination for visitors. For more information, visit CaryNC.gov/about and follow on social media @caryncgov.

About WakeMed Soccer Park

WakeMed Soccer Park is the Town of Cary's 158-acre state-of-the-art facility renowned for hosting premier soccer events at all levels. Since 2004, it has evolved into a central hub for professional, collegiate, and community soccer. Home to professional team, NC Courage, the complex is designed to support a wide range of events, from international tournaments to local festivals, as well as sports, from high school football to polo.

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.

Primary Contacts

If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email [email protected].

Resources

Town of Cary, NC published this content on April 09, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 09, 2026 at 19:51 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]