Edmonton will host a pair of matches for Canada’s national men’s rugby squad this summer. The city announced the games scheduled for July 4 and 11 at Clarke Stadium on Thursday alongside representatives from Rugby Canada and Rugby Alberta. The games against Spain and Portugal will be a part of the new World Rugby Nations Cup, a global competition which is slated to be held every two years in July and November. Each rugby squad features 15 players a side and sees players moving an oval-shaped ball downfield by kicking, passing and running with it to score points. The sport is the forerunner of gridiron football. Rugby’s players don’t wear pads or helmets, unlike their football counterparts. Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack said at a media conference on Thursday that hosting the matches is expected to generate $7 million in economic impact for city businesses. “That means visitors in our hotels, customers in our restaurants and energy in our local businesses,” Knack said while reading from a prepared statement. “Events like this create momentum that extends well beyond that final whistle, and it signals our commitment to hosting events that connect communities through sport.”
