TODAY: Mayor Alyia Gaskins to Kick Off Mayors’ Cup Send-Off Celebration

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins will officially kick off the city’s Mayors’ Cup Send-Off Celebration today, Sunday, July 26, as players, coaches, supporters and community leaders gather in advance of Alexandria’s return to one of its most unique international sporting traditions.

The free community event will take place from noon to 3 p.m., today, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1015 Cameron St., in Old Town Alexandria.

Residents will be able to meet the athletes who will wear Alexandria’s colors in Dundee, Scotland, learn more about rugby and celebrate the longstanding friendship between Alexandria and its Scottish sister city.

The afternoon will feature player introductions, rugby demonstrations, autograph opportunities, educational exhibits, family activities, merchandise sales, raffle drawings and a farewell banner that residents can sign before the teams depart.

A “What Is Rugby?” station will introduce newcomers to the rules, traditions and terminology of one of the world’s oldest and most popular team sports.

Approximately 30 to 40 players will travel to Dundee from Aug. 4 through Aug. 8 to compete in the revived Mayors’ Cup series.

The competition returns after a 17-year hiatus.

The Mayors’ Cup began in 2008 when Alexandria traveled to Dundee for the inaugural competition.

Dundee returned to Alexandria in 2009, retaining the trophy during the original home-and-home series.

Now, nearly two decades later, Alexandria will once again compete for the cup while renewing one of the city’s most distinctive international sporting rivalries.

Three challenge matches are scheduled.

Alexandria’s veterans team will compete for the Gavin Garden Cup.

The women’s teams will meet for the Lord Provost Cup.

The men’s teams will compete for the Mayors’ Cup.

The 2026 series also marks a historic milestone.

For the first time, Alexandria will field a women’s team, joining the men’s and veterans squads for the international competition.

The featured Mayors’ Cup match is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8, at Dundee Rugby Club.

Mayor Gaskins has helped revive the series, giving a new generation of athletes the chance to strengthen the bond between Alexandria and Dundee through sportsmanship, friendship and cultural exchange.

More than a rugby competition, the series celebrates the enduring sister-city relationship between Alexandria and Dundee, using sports to strengthen friendships and cultural ties.

The athletes making the trip will serve not only as competitors but also as ambassadors for Alexandria.

Rugby’s roots in Alexandria continue to deepen.

This past April, George Washington Middle School hosted the Gonzaga Rugby Classic, formerly known as the Jesuit Rugby Classic, welcoming teams from across the East Coast for one of the nation’s premier high school rugby tournaments.

The event attracted hundreds of players, coaches, families and supporters while further establishing Alexandria as an important destination for rugby in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Today’s send-off builds on that legacy while introducing even more residents to the sport.

Many of the athletes have spent months helping raise funds to offset the cost of the overseas trip.

Public support, donations and fundraising efforts have played an important role in making the journey possible.

Today’s event gives Alexandria residents the chance to thank the players and wish them well before they depart next week.

Today’s send-off marks the beginning of a journey that extends far beyond the rugby pitch.

When Alexandria’s delegation arrives in Dundee next week, the players will carry more than jerseys and equipment.

They will carry the pride of their city, the support of their families and friends, and the best wishes of a community eager to see one of its most cherished international traditions return after 17 years.

For Mayor Alyia Gaskins, the players and everyone supporting the effort, today’s celebration is more than a farewell.

It is the first step in writing the next chapter of the Mayors’ Cup’s history.

As the players prepare to represent Alexandria overseas, many throughout the Port City will be cheering them on while looking forward to strengthening the longstanding friendship and bonds that unite Alexandria and Dundee through sport, goodwill and international cooperation.