Ticket sales have reached a record high as U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher prepares to make her debut for the Bristol Bears women's team. Despite not being in the starting lineup, the Olympic bronze medalist is set to play against defending champion Gloucester-Hartpury in a Premiership Women’s Rugby match at Ashton Gate on Sunday. The match was moved to a larger venue due to overwhelming demand for tickets.
Maher, who recently returned to England, will be on the bench for the Bears. Her signing on a three-month contract has generated significant excitement among fans, with close to 8,000 spectators expected to attend the match. This turnout surpasses the previous attendance record for a Bristol women's home game, which stood at 4,101.
