Birmingham welcomes biggest ever LGBTQ+ rugby tournament
It's taking place this weekend in Perry Barr
Last updated 28th Apr 2023
1,400 players from 46 different teams across Europe are in Birmingham this weekend competing in the IGR Union Cup.
It's the country's biggest ever gay rugby tournament, taking place at Perry Barr's Pavilion Stadium.
The Birmingham Bulls are this years hosts, after winning the right to host in Dublin in 2019.
The opening ceremony kicked off last night (Thursday) at Birmingham's Town Hall with matches taking place all of today and over the weekend.
This year's event will also see the return of the women's programme with women from across Europe competing in the tournament.
James Anthony, Chair of the Birmingham Union Cup Organising Committee, said: "Birmingham is known for being a progressive and inclusive city – both to live in and work in. The IGR Union Cup tournament is an opportunity to also show the world that it's also the number one city to play LGBTQ sports in, too.
"With a central theme of the tournament being ‘One Love’, the IGR Union Cup 2023 will be the first time the European LGBTQ+ rugby community and allies has come together in four years having been postponed from 2021 due to COVID."