Even though the IRB is issuing upbeat press releases about preparations for the 2013 Sevens RWC in Moscow, there are rumors in the Russian media that the IRB is quietly preparing a plan B to move the tournament to Hong Kong if Moscow is not ready.
The main problems with Moscow include serious concerns about filling the stadium with spectators. There has been zero effort by the Russian union/government to build interest among locals in rugby in general and sevens in particular. There have been practically no broadcasts of rugby matches on TV in Russia since the 2011 RWC. This past weekend an international tournament operated by FIRA (known as European Sevens Gran-Prix) was held on a training field outside the Luzhniki stadium with only a couple hundred fans in attendance and no local TV coverage. The 2013 RWC tournament is supposed to be held in the main Luzhniki stadium which has capacity of 78,000. The only chance to have a decent crowd in the stands is if at least 50,000 foreign visitors come to watch the event, because no more than a couple thousand local fans can be realistically expected to attend. But so far the Russian government has not committed to easing visa travel rules for Western visitors for the event.
Last but certainly not least, apparently it is illegal to sell alcohol at sports events in Russia (ironic, I know), and even though the IRB has explicitly requested to allow beer sales at the rugby sevens tournament, and tried to educate Russian officials about sevens rugby being more like a fan festival than an athletic event, the official response has been no, beer not allowed at rugby.
Honestly, I hope I'm wrong, and perhaps Moscow will organize a great event with full stadium watching great rugby, but so far there is little evidence that the 2013 event will not be a disaster if it stays in Moscow.
The main problems with Moscow include serious concerns about filling the stadium with spectators. There has been zero effort by the Russian union/government to build interest among locals in rugby in general and sevens in particular. There have been practically no broadcasts of rugby matches on TV in Russia since the 2011 RWC. This past weekend an international tournament operated by FIRA (known as European Sevens Gran-Prix) was held on a training field outside the Luzhniki stadium with only a couple hundred fans in attendance and no local TV coverage. The 2013 RWC tournament is supposed to be held in the main Luzhniki stadium which has capacity of 78,000. The only chance to have a decent crowd in the stands is if at least 50,000 foreign visitors come to watch the event, because no more than a couple thousand local fans can be realistically expected to attend. But so far the Russian government has not committed to easing visa travel rules for Western visitors for the event.
Last but certainly not least, apparently it is illegal to sell alcohol at sports events in Russia (ironic, I know), and even though the IRB has explicitly requested to allow beer sales at the rugby sevens tournament, and tried to educate Russian officials about sevens rugby being more like a fan festival than an athletic event, the official response has been no, beer not allowed at rugby.
Honestly, I hope I'm wrong, and perhaps Moscow will organize a great event with full stadium watching great rugby, but so far there is little evidence that the 2013 event will not be a disaster if it stays in Moscow.
