Rome will host the 2024 edition of the Bingham Cup

Rome – International Gay Rugby has released the reserve and, with a votation that involved all its affiliates from mid November to the 10th of December, has chosen Rome as the next city to host the “Bingham Cup” in 2024.
The Italian bid, presented by Libera Rugby with the support of Roma Capitale, The National Office of Racial Antidiscrimination (UNAR) and the Italian Rugby Union, has won over the one presented by the Australian city of Brisbane. The 2024 edition, which follows the one that just ended in Ottawa (Canada), will be the first one ever to be hosted in Italy.
The “Bingham Cup”, which brings the name of Mark Bingham, the rugby athlete who became a hero for hijacking the United 93 flight on the 11th September 2001, reaches the 11th edition and will see all the IGR’S affiliates worldwide, with a majority of European ones and, as the previous editions, will be an international event that will be able to attract thousands of people who will pour in the Eternal City from the 22nd of May until the 24th of May 2024.
The tournament delivery and organization will be done by Libera Rugby, the first inclusive team in Italy, affiliated to IGR since 2015.

«It will be a great event of sport, of inclusion and participation. An international showcase – said the Capitoline councilor for Sport, Major Events, Tourism and Fashion, Alessandro Onorato – with over 140 participating teams and around 10,000 athletes, coaches and supporters. Not to mention the public of enthusiasts, who will have one more opportunity to visit our city, generating positive effects on the tourist economy and related industries. An extraordinary opportunity to bear witness to the culture of welcome and respect that belongs to the history and tradition of Rome. This is why we supported the candidacy by making the municipal sports facilities available for matches and institutional communication to promote the event in the city. Rome will once again confirm itself as the international capital of rugby».

“We are very pleased and proud that our bid has been deemed to be the best by all the affiliates – declared Nicolò Zito, Libera’s Rugby Chairman – The “Bingham Cup” is the highest expression of our movement, an event with worldwide media coverage and a global reach. For this reason, we have put together a highly qualified team that is already working on organising the Cup. The stoplight is now on us and the expectations are certainly very high, as is the setting of the tournament: the Eternal City will be a unique and fascinating venue. I would like to thank the local administration, Roma Capitale, for reinforcing our candidacy, and the Italian Rugby Federation, FIR and UNAR which has enthusiastically supported us from the very beginning.”

“The National Office of Racial Antidiscrimination (UNAR) has supported with pride from the very beginning Rome’s candidature as the next host city for the 2024’s Bingham Cup. – denotes Mattia Peradotto, UNAR’s Director – This appointment remarks how much sport can be a vehicle of inclusion and construction of solid relationships. With this, Italy demonstrates that is actively working to the full inclusion of the LGBT+ community and that, with initiatives like this, wants to be a worldwide example”.