National Sports Center
The NSC is nestled just 15 minutes north of downtown Minneapolis in Blaine, Minnesota–one of the top 100 places to live in 2008 by CNNMoney.com (#93, August 2008). Not only is this venue world-renowned, it is fully supported by the Minnesota Rugby Union (MnRFU), Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation (MARF), Minnesota Rugby Referee Society (MNRRS), as well as the Minneapolis Visitors Bureau and Department of Tourism.
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Pitches + Fields
NSC campus fields are all regulation sized rugby pitches with grass surface and daily sprinkler irrigation. Fields A1–A4 will host Bingham Cup™ 2010 with Field U3 being the location for the Championship games. Field U2 will play host to “Tent City.” Fields B1 and B2 will be available for team training and pre-game warm-ups and are located less than one minute from the tournament match fields.
Additional Facilities
With the NSC being a world class venue, parking, vendor city (food, rugby equipment, retail sales), tent city (team designated home base) and function-used facilities such as changing rooms, showers and referee headquarters will all be on-site and available for players and spectators during the duration of the tournament. In addition, the NSC features an on-site dining room, indoor training fieldhouse, weight room and other needed resources.
Minneapolis
With beautiful surroundings and plenty to do, Minneapolis is an exhilarating place to spend a few days. The one-of-a-kind theater scene sells more theater tickets per capita than any U.S. city, while the city’s 22 lakes provide recreation year-round.
A lush green environment combined with contemporary architecture makes the city a unique combination of natural beauty and sophistication. Upscale shopping and sidewalk dining paired with cultural and family activities make the City of Lakes a wonderful place to visit or live.
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Guthrie Theater
The stunning new Jean Nouvel-designed riverfront home for the nationally-renowned theater company opened in July 2006 and has already earned numerous design awards. With three theaters, 11 bars and lobby space offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area, the bold blue building has laid the groundwork for continued growth in the Mill District.
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Uptown
Just south of downtown, Uptown is the center of Minneapolis’ hip energy, and includes off-beat shopping, late-night dining, vibrant nightlife and up-and-coming music. Just steps from the Chain of Lakes, Uptown has everything an urban neighborhood should and then some.
Mall of America
Known as one of the world’s largest indoor shopping malls and amusment park. Just a short light rail trip from the downtown hotel district, it boasts hundreds of shops and entertainment venues. Additionally, Minnesota does not charge sales tax on clothing so everyone should bring a spare suitcase… or two.
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Gay Minneapolis
As the larger of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis has a sizable gay population. The metropolitan area draws in many gay and lesbian people, yet still maintains a small town feel. Minneapolis has a progressive welcoming mentality dating back several decades. Twin Cities Pride Festival has over 300,000 people converging on Hennepin Avenue and Loring Park in downtown over the last weekend of June. From the gay bars and theatres on Hennepin Avenue to the shopping at the Mall of America, the Twin Cities is a fun place to visit and a fabulous place to live.
Marriott Center
Enjoy the revitalized atmosphere of this sophisticated Minneapolis, MN hotel, offering newly renovated guest rooms expertly blending comfort with contemporary design, while boasting modern conveniences and stunning city views. Over 33,000 square feet of innovative meeting and event space creates an unparalleled environment for successful business engagements and stunning social gatherings. Located in the heart of downtown, this delightful Minneapolis, Minnesota hotel is connected to the vibrant shopping, entertainment, and business districts through the world famous skyway system. Easy access to the Twin Cities’ top attractions, including the Metrodome, Target Center, Minneapolis Convention Center, Block E, and the historic Theatre District, positions this luxurious hotel in downtown Minneapolis as the center of it all.
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Radisson Hotel Plaza
With a prime location in the heart of downtown Minneapolis just steps away from shopping and entertainment, the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis offers warm hospitality, an inviting atmosphere and stylish accommodations. As Radisson’s flagship hotel, this four star Minneapolis hotel is sure to pamper guests with luxurious amenities and services.
Located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, the exquisite Hilton Minneapolis hotel is perfect for guests traveling to Minneapolis on business or for pleasure. An elegant Victorian brick building rising twenty-five stories above one of America’s top cities, the hotel offers a range of in-house amenities and is ideally situated to access the city’s top attractions.
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Bingham Cup™ 2010
Bingham Cup 2010 puts rugby at the center of the event with a venue and tournament structure conducive to serious, competitive sport. While emphasizing the competitive aspects of the tournament, we have not forgotten the sense of fraternity that makes rugby, and particularly IGRAB rugby, such an amazing sport. The memory of Mark Bingham will live on through Bingham Cup 2010, as will the values he lived by both on and off the field: loyalty, honor, brotherhood, courage and unity.
In the spirit of fraternity and inclusion, we have sought to keep registration fees low, increase the level of play and plan some of the most amazing celebrations you will ever see. Get ready. This is Bingham Cup 2010.
More about the tournament
Registration
Registration for Bingham Cup 2010 is now open. In an effort to include as many people as possible, both participant and non-participant fees will be locked through the end of registration.
Deadline for registration is June 1, 2010.
Payment Options
All payments are handled by Paypal. If you don’t have a paypal account, you’ll still be able to use your credit card in a safe, secure transaction.
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THE BINGHAM CUP and BINGHAM CUP are trademarks of The San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club, Inc.