BRISTOL, England – U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher is poised to make her debut for the Bristol Bears women’s team as ticket sales soar to record highs. The Olympic bronze medalist will not start in the upcoming match against defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury, but is expected to bring significant attention to the game. The match, which has been moved to Ashton Gate to accommodate the overwhelming demand, is set for Sunday in the Premiership Women’s Rugby competition.

Bristol announced Maher’s inclusion on the bench in the matchday lineup after her return to England on New Year’s Day. In anticipation of her debut, Maher shared on Instagram, “I don’t care if it’s freezing cold, come out and support some great rugby.” The Bears coach, Dave Ward, echoed the sentiment, expressing confidence that a record crowd would energize the team.

With close to 8,000 fans expected to attend, the turnout surpasses the previous attendance record for a Bristol women’s home match, which stood at 4,101 fans during a clash with Harlequins last May. This surge in ticket sales is largely attributed to Maher's immense popularity, being the “most followed rugby player on the planet” with over 8 million followers across social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Maher, returning to the 15-a-side format after concentrating on sevens, is currently on a three-month contract with the Bears. Her prior training began in December after the announcement of her signing, following a holiday break in the U.S. She aims to improve her chances of making the U.S. team for the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England, capable of playing both as a wing or center.

This increasing interest in women’s rugby is further highlighted as the league-leading Harlequins recently drew record-breaking crowds, with 18,055 fans attending a match at Twickenham Stadium at the end of December. As Bristol gears up for what is set to be an exhilarating matchday, Maher's presence is expected to continue to elevate the profile of women’s rugby.

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