LONDON Irish will become the first club to play a Premiership fixture abroad when they face Saracens in the US next spring.
The Exiles will play their Round 16 home fixture against the reigning champions in the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, which is home to Major League Soccer team New York Red Bulls, on March 12, 2016.
The clash will take place ahead of the city’s St Patrick’s Day festivities, and will also serve as a celebration of Irish culture for the Irish community in the state of New York.
London Irish Chief Executive Officer, Bob Casey said: “This is an enormous opportunity for London Irish and a chance for our Club to gain exposure in one of the biggest sporting cities in the world.
“The New York region has a significant Irish community and is renowned for its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, so it’s the perfect time for our Club to venture into this market."
He added that the club aims to create a “lasting legacy” in the US for both rugby and London Irish.
Mark McCafferty, Premiership Rugby’s Chief Executive said: “This is a significant day in the history of Premiership Rugby and one that has taken a number of years and a lot of hard work to bring to fruition.”
Tickets go on general sale on Friday, October 30 at 2pm.
