Georgia preparing to host world’s youth rugby championship in 2017

Tbilisi will host the World Rugby U20 Championship this year with a new, European-style rugby complex that will be able to seat up to one thousand fans.

Well underway since June of 2016, the complex is being constructed in Gldani - one of the outlying districts of Georgia's capital Tbilisi.

Summarising the achievements of 2016, Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania said the rugby complex would be one of the most significant projects of 2017.

This will be a sports complex built by international standards. Our city will thus have yet another very interesting attraction”, Davit Narmania said.

Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania visits rugby construction site. Photo by: Tbilisi Mayor's Press Office

The rugby complex will consist of four stadiums: one with a natural grass field, two with artificial grass and one with sand. A training center equipped with necessary sports equipment will also be available. The complex will have its own parking lot as well.

Several initial activities such as landscape formation have been completed. The construction of administrative buildings and bleachers is now underway. Later, stadium covers will complete the project.

The estimated cost of the project is 6.3 million lari, which is being paid for by the state budget. The project contractor, Saba Construction, promises to have the complex completed by Spring of this year.

Georgia's capital Tbilisi gets ready to host international rugby tournament this Spring. Photo by: Tbilisi Mayor's Press Office

This will be the first time that Georgia will host the tournament, opening its doors to sports fans from around the world. The tournament will take place both in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, located to the West.

Per the official schedule, the initial rounds will be played on May 31, June 4 and 8. The semi - finals will take place on June 13 and the final match will take place at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi on June 18.