Feb. 16--New Zealand's World Cup champion All Blacks team is coming to Chicago this November as part of what's being billed as "a weekend of rugby."
On Nov. 4, the USA Rugby Eagles will play the Maori All Blacks at Toyota Park. The next day, the All Blacks will play Ireland, the defending RBS 6 Nations Champions, at Soldier Field.
Tickets will go on sale April 1.
"We are looking forward to another fabulous weekend for rugby in the United States with our return to Chicago in November," USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville said in a statement. "The city and its fans have shown the world how passionate they are about the sport, and we think this weekend will again take the game's popularity to another level."
The All Blacks last played at Soldier Field in 2014, when an estimated 61,500 fans watched the team crushed the USA Eagles 74-6.
The sellout crowd was the largest to witness rugby in the United States, far eclipsing a 20,181 crowd at a 2013 U.S. game against Ireland in Houston.
"We have very fond memories of playing in Chicago in 2014," New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said. "We really appreciated the efforts of the city in rolling out the welcome mat for rugby. We know American fans had a very special experience and we expect a whole new group of fans to enjoy what will be a unique showcase of top class rugby over consecutive days."
