The Ireland national rugby team will play Italy at Soldier Field in Chicago in November. The side defeated New Zealand at the same venue in '16. The game against Italy will be "part of a trio of fixtures" including games between the U.S. and New Zealand on the same day. The U.S. men will play the All Blacks and the women's team will face the Black Ferns (BBC, 5/15).
UFC confirmed its debut event in Russia will be held at Olimpiyskiy Arena in Moscow on Sept. 15. UFC has experienced a rise in popularity in Russia over the past few years, with a fan base that has grown to more than 22 million, driven by the success of local athletes (UFC).
The West Indies and Bangladesh will play two Twenty20 matches in Florida from Aug. 4-5 at the Central Broward oval. The scheduling continues Cricket West Indies' "efforts to make inroads into the largely untapped North American market," on the heels of two matches between the West Indies and India at the same venue two years ago (REUTERS, 5/15).
White Ferns Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu will play in the Women's T20 Challenge Match in India, "a first step in which the BCCI hopes will end with a women's version of the Indian Premier League." Several Indian players will be involved in the match, along with internationals from New Zealand, Australia and England (STUFF, 5/16).
