Winnipeg will host an international rugby match for the first time in 33 years. Canada's men's rugby team is scheduled to play the 24th-ranked Zimbabwe at Princess Auto Stadium on July 18. This marks the first international rugby event in the city since 1993.
The match is the final stop on the World Rugby Nations Cup Tour. Tonga will also compete against Portugal on the same day. All four participating teams are World Cup bound for the 2027 tournament in Australia.
Former Canadian captain Gareth Rees, who played in the 1993 Winnipeg match, expressed his enthusiasm for the sport's growth. "Rugby has gone to a new place from when I was here many, many years ago," Rees stated. He highlighted the sport's accessibility and the strength of local clubs.
Wade Miller, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Football Club, called the event an "exciting moment," emphasizing the opportunity to showcase the city's fan atmosphere and introduce rugby to new audiences. The roster for Canada's team will be announced in June. Tickets for the event, which includes both matches, start at $50.