DUBAI, U.A.E. - With just two days to go until rugby fever hits Dubai, Emirates, the award-winning global airline and one of the leading sport sponsors, has increased its commitment to rugby with the announcement that it has become the Official Airline of the USA Rugby National Sevens Teams.

The partnership will see the familiar 'Fly Emirates' shirt branding on both the men's and women's squads during the IRB Sevens World Series, which starts this week with the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.

"This is a landmark deal for USA Rugby," USA Rugby Chairman Kevin Roberts said. "Emirates is more than an airline, they represent a lifestyle of optimism, discovery and passion. A lifestyle all USA Rugby players, members and fans share and aspire to. Emirates is passionate about rugby and will bring fresh impetus to the game's development in the U.S."

On their last visit to Dubai, for the IRB Sevens Rugby World Cup, the USA Women's Sevens Team made it to the semifinals, before losing to New Zealand, while the men's team got through to the quarterfinals of the Plate.

"We are very proud to announce our partnership with the USA Rugby Sevens squad," Gary Chapman, President Group Services and Dnata, Emirates Group said. "Emirates is a truly global rugby supporter and our partnership with the Eagles comes at an exciting time for the sport of rugby in the USA, especially following the news that the sport will become an Olympic event in 2016. Following the weekend's action we will certainly be looking at developing this partnership with USA Rugby further."

Emirates is the title sponsor of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, in addition to three other tournaments on the IRB World Sevens Series, namely London, Edinburgh and South Africa.

Emirates was the first company to become a Worldwide Partner of the Rugby World Cup 2011 and is the sponsor of the England and Samoa sevens squads, as well.

USA RUGBY, founded in 1975, is the national governing body for rugby and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Rugby Board (IRB). The organization is responsible for the development of boys, girls, high school, collegiate and club rugby programs, as well as the nation's rugby coaches, referees, administrators and all of its national teams that represent the U.S. in international competitions. As part of this development, USA Rugby hosts a number of courses, clinics, National Championship events and international matches throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.usarugby.org.

EMIRATES

Based in Dubai, Emirates airline has received more than 400 international awards in recognition of its efforts to provided unsurpassed levels of customer service since its launch in 1985. Emirates operates services to over 100 cities in more than 60 countries, flying non-stop to six continents from Dubai. Emirates currently connects North America with Dubai with non-stop flights from New York, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto. Visit Emirates online at www.emirates.com.