NEWCASTLE FALCONS will break new ground in September when their Premiership ‘home’ game against Saracens is played in the American city of Philadelphia.
The round-three encounter on September 16 will take place at the 18,500-capacity Talen Energy Stadium, home to Major League Soccer team Philadelphia Union.
The venue has already staged major rugby union matches, with the USA national side having faced New Zealand's Maori All Blacks there as well as hosting America's Collegiate Rugby Championship.
The match is a ‘home’ game for Newcastle Falcons, who will be contacting season ticket holders soon to outline their compensation plans for the match being moved from Kingston Park.
Falcons managing director Mick Hogan said: “This is an exciting opportunity which is commercially very good for the club, and enables us to further invest in our squad and in the stadium facilities at Kingston Park.
“It will allow us to grow Newcastle Falcons' brand, likewise for Premiership Rugby, and it presents a number of very positive commercial opportunities.”
The game will be the second Premiership Rugby match to be held in the USA, with London Irish and Saracens having played at New York's Red Bull Stadium during the 2015-16 season.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here