2017 Americas Rugby Championship Fixtures

Details on the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship have started to emerge, with the full schedule revealed in a press release today. After an exciting inaugural season in 2016, the ARC is set to build on its success with a greater build-up ahead of the tournament and increased exposure for sponsors.

At the close of the 2016 season organizers had expressed hope that they would be able to secure improved sponsorship and broadcast coverage, and the words of ARC Advisory Panel Chairman Greg Peters suggest that a significant announcement on that subject is imminent.

“We are very close to signing a major contract that will ensure that you can see all these matches throughout the Americas. The level of rugby on display and the fact that each country individually has raised the profile of rugby within its borders means that the Americas Rugby Championship is an interesting product. We are happy that things are on track and to be close to sealing the broadcast agreement.”

If there is a disappointment it is the confirmation that Argentina will again enter an ‘A’ side rather than the Pumas, meaning World Rugby rankings points will not be at risk during their fixtures. Given the widespread disapproval with that decision in 2016 and the fact that the Argentina XV were crowned inaugural champions, this should again be the subject of scrutiny heading into the 2017 tournament.

Canada will open their tournament with three home games, with the first two confirmed for Westhills Stadium in Langford and the third match, against USA, to be played at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. The Eagles will also start at home, playing Uruguay in San Antonio and Brazil in Austin. While the exact locations are still to be made official, it is believed that Toyota Field will host in San Antonio with a return to Dell Diamond in Austin most likely.

After traveling to San Antonio, Los Teros will have a relatively minor road trip to Argentina before playing the remainder of their schedule at home with Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo a certainty for at least two matches and and Maldonado’s Estadio Domingo Burgueño another option. Os Tupis start and end in Brazil, with a trip north to Austin followed by matches Uruguay and Argentina.

Los Condores are on the road to start with stops in Brazil and a long flight to Canada, returning home for two matches and ending in Uruguay. Argentina also begin abroad, with their longest trip to Canada in the first round and a stop in Santiago, Chile, their only other road game. Venues for their matches are still to be confirmed but it is believed one match will be played in Patagonia.

*unconfirmed