Warrior Built Part Two: Warriors Nation continues to set the standard in the MLR

Herriman, UT – In the Utah Warriors first home game on March 30, 2018 at Rio Tinto Stadium saw the Warriors host a Major League Rugby (MLR) record crowd of 9,186 putting Utah’s rugby-rich community on display.

Since then, the Utah Warriors have gone on to create one of the top-rated MLR game day experiences with multiple sellout crowds and the MLR-leading attendance numbers in 2022. Not only did the Utah Warriors lead the MLR in total attendance this past season, all eight Warrior home matches ranked in the Top 10 of Highest Attended MLR Matches in 2022.

While the MLR saw overall attendance grow almost 40%, the Warriors continued to lead the growing league attendance thanks in-part to the highest-rated gameday experience in the league. And with the world-renowned backdrop of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, Zions Bank Stadium continues to be one of, if not the most, scenic venues to watch a rugby game in the world.

The Warriors’ home game experience continues to shine for new and seasoned rugby fans alike. From in-game MC Buddha keeping Warriors Nation excited and involved to the post-game fireworks and yes, even Koa’s in -game antics, the Warriors home games are becoming Utah’s most exciting professional sports experience.

Warriors Nation don’t forget to fill out our 2022 Fan Experience Survey!

We would love your feedback! https://t.co/lJpFpB1KmJ#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/9EvpEebIXq

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) July 29, 2022

With the growth of Major League Rugby and the increased excitement behind new Utah Warriors’ head coach Greg Cooper, the organization is expecting a lot of wins, and even more fans in 2023, with a sold-out Zions Bank Stadium cheering on the team at every home match.

Warriors Nation has proven once again that they are the very best fans in MLR. And with “Coops” leading the way the team is primed to do some amazing things next season. The Warriors look forward to setting more records in 2023 and continuing to make the crowds in Zions Bank Stadium the standard for the league.

The Utah Warriors had some of the team’s most ardent supporters offer their thoughts on the Warriors and their game-day experiences below from Aaron Senior, President of the Utah Warriors Rugby Supporters Association (UWRSA–an unaffiliated non-profit supporters organization) and Julie Winder, Board Member of the UWRSA, both who have been season ticket holders since the founding year of the team in 2018.

AARON SENIOR

“Game day for me is so exciting. I try to arrive at least 2 hours early. I get so much energy from all the fans that start to trickle in. I have made so many friends while doing this that I cannot believe it. I get to see the players from both teams warm up, and I often get a chance to converse with our guys and give them words of encouragement. I mostly tell them they are awesome, and they are going to win.

Rugby is a family game. Come alone and leave with a big giant group. I’ve made friends with all the people I sit around. My new mom that sits in front of me. My new sister that sits next to me. My new brother that now carpools to the games with me. My actual sister that brings her reluctant husband, who does not want to admit he loves rugby too.

After the games we head on over to Redemption to our official watch party spot and have some drinks and delicious refreshments, we get to hang out with players visiting fans, and each other. We spend lots of time visiting, talking about the game and enjoying each other’s company over there.

The Warriors are the greatest Rugby team and the fan experience is even better. It will only get better as more people come to games and get involved with all aspects of the event. Go Warriors!”

Hear from Aaron Senior and Julie Winder, two of the leaders of the Utah Warriors Rugby Supporters Association! pic.twitter.com/yJMIIqwMe2

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) August 11, 2022

JULIE WINDER

“On game days I love getting to the stadium as soon as the gates open! I get to stop by the Team Store and look for new items I don’t have yet and need. I get to visit with other fans that have become friends and my rugby family! It’s nice to watch the team warm up, and relax a bit before the game starts. I have extra season tickets and always invite new people to the games. I love experiencing their first rugby game with them. They are always so amazed at how fast the play is, what the players accomplish, and that they take and make the hard hits without pads!

After the match is over it’s so fun to watch the kids line up along the sidelines and get to meet their favorite players for pictures and autographs. The huge smiles on the kids’ faces after is one of my favorite things.

I also really love attending the After Party at Redemption. It’s great to be able to have conversations with the players and visit with other fans.

Grab a season ticket (or four like me) and join the best sporting experience in the state of Utah!”

This Op-Ed was written by Kimball Kjar and James Farwell. Kjar serves as CEO of the Utah Warriors, while Farwell oversees the Warriors’ Ticketing Department as Ticketing Director. To learn more about the Utah Warriors’ ticketing options please visit www.warriorsrugby.com/Ticket-Options/ or call the Utah Warriors ticket office at 801-477-7652.