SNAPDRAGON STADIUM – New Zealanders, Fijians and San Diegans alike packed Snapdragon Stadium for the New Zealand All Blacks’ first appearance in San Diego since 1980 and Fiji Rugby’s first appearance in team history in America’s Finest City.

The announced attendance was 33,217.

There were long lines before the gates opened more than two hours before kickoff and nearly every seat was filled before the match began.

Supporters of both teams came from across the world to see their teams square off.

The All Blacks are one of the best rugby teams in the world. Fiji is an up-and-coming team with recent success but not the historic dominance that the All Blacks have.

The match was also a chance for local San Diegans, specifically those who support San Diego’s own rugby team, the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby, to see world-class rugby in their own stadium.

Snapdragon Stadium will play host to the MLR Championship on Sunday, August 4.

Sports San Diego, an advocate for sports tourism in the greater San Diego area, and TEG Sport hosted the event to garner attention to the sport of rugby. The United States is set to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m.