The fifth annual Turnberry Beach Rugby event takes place on an idyllic stretch of the Ayrshire coast this weekend, promising a festival of rugby, music and entertainment.
Men’s and women’s teams from all over the UK will once again be getting sand between their toes, sea breeze in their hair and sun on their faces as around 20 teams challenge for the titles. On the shore of Turnberry Beach, one of the most beautiful and scenic coast lines in Scotland, Saturdays non-stop explosive beach rugby will commence at 12 noon with a bar open and food available throughout the day and into the evening.
Male & female teams of all abilities from all over Scotland and beyond will meet and compete for the title of Turnberry Beach Rugby Champions. Alongside there will be a Beach Rugby Legacy Games for U16 teams with the support of South Ayrshire Council. And from an oval ball to a round ball Scottish Handball Association will be on the beach holding demonstrations and come-and-try sessions. What with some yoga on the beach this year too, there should be something for everyone.
A guide to the game – Beach Rugby is an abbreviated, fast paced, hard-hitting and some would say extreme version of the 15- and 7-man game. With rugby traditionally played on grass in some of the world’s most famous stadiums, Turnberry Beach Rugby (TBR) combines the best of both and brings the game to one of Scotland’s most picturesque coastlines.
The game is played on a 5-a-side on a pitch around the size of a tennis court, with continuous rolling subs (essential due to the continued fatigue of competing on soft sand) and very few stoppages, due to there being no real set pieces (scrums or line-outs) and a time limit on the tackle area. These changes therefore encouraging faster play, more tackles and flair from players not normally seen in traditional codes of the game! The pitch-side DJ creates a fantastic atmosphere and with further entertainment for all surrounding the pitches it is a lot more than just a rugby event.
(Preview courtesy of the Turnberry Beach Rugby website.)
Matches start at 12 noon.
Tickets in advance are available online via the ‘Get Tickets’ link. These are spectator camping wristbands enabling full access to all facilities from Friday 1st July until Sunday 3rd July.
Tickets on the day are available priced: Adults £10/U16s accompanied by adult free. These tickets permit access between 9am and 5pm, with tickets to Saturday night’s music sold separately. These are the spectator prices in full.
Car parking at Turnberry Beach Rugby is available at a cost of £10.