The Austin Gilgronis is a rugby union team that is based in Austin, Texas. The team was created in 2017, and back then, they were known as the Austin Elite, and they compete in the Major League Rugby. The Austin Herd now plays their home games at the Circuit of the Americas. Before, they played at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex and at the Dell Diamond. The team is sponsored by kit manufacturer XBlades from 2018-2019, and from 2020-present, they are hosted by Paladin Sports.

The Rebranding of the Team

The Austin Elite Ruby was created in 2018, where they became a charter member of the Major League Rugby. The team played its first season in the league at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex. During the majority of their 2019 matches, they decided to move to Dell Diamond. It’s not always been easy for this rugby team to struggle in the stands and on the fields. They had an 0-16 record with average crowd turnouts of fewer than 1,000 fans.

The team was initially named as the Austin Elite Rugby, but they are most recently renamed as the Austin Herd. However, the team was rebranded again as the Austin Gilgronis. This is because they are under new ownership. From 2020, they will play their home matches at Bold Stadium within the Circuit of the Americas.

The team is now owned by an Australia based company named Loyals LLC who is under CEO Matt Burgees. They purchased the group from its previous owner, Richard Osborn. The name Gilgronis is a reference to a new cocktail that the same company plans to release anytime soon.

As a part of the deal, the new company that owned Austin Gilgronis has plans on updating the appearance as well as the amenities at the stadium that is used by the USL Championship team, Austin Bold FC. Loyals LLC has agreed to finance any necessary expansion if crowds started to outgrow its 5,036 seat capacity.

Matt Burgees said that the people can expect high-adrenaline pre-game activities and matches, including BBQ championships, fire breathers, a human fireball, cheerleading championships, and so much more. Aside from that, they also plan to lower-priced tickets, with $8 for general admission and $10 for reserved seats.

The current logo and color of the Austin Gilgronis are sky blue, black, and white. Their logo has a stylized head of a Texas Longhorn bull with a Lone Star that is drawn on its forehead. The team also has a bull-like mascot named Dozer.

Circuit of the Americas

The Circuits of the Americas is a motor racing track with several other facilities such as:

• Observation Tower – This is a structure that is surrounded by a double helix staircase which has 419 stairs. Here you can have a 360 degree view of the circuit as well as downtown Austin. The observation platform is accessible to the public for an admission fee and it can accommodate about 70 people. It also has a partial glass floor and glass railings for an extra exciting viewing experience.
• Germania Insurance Amphitheater – This amphitheater is built at the base of the observation tower and the Circuit of the Americas had an agreement with events and venue promoter, Live Nation to book major concerts at this amphitheater. The Germania Insurance Amphitheater was opened in April 2013 and it can accommodate up to 14,000 people.
• Main Grandstand – This is the primary permanent seating of the Circuit of the Americas. The grandstand was designed by Miro Rivera Architects and it was completed in 2012. It is 65 feet tall and it can accommodate up to 9,000 spectators. Aside from the viewing area, the grandstand also has restrooms, concessions, and offices. The grandstand also has the Velocity Lounge which contains a 36-screen video wall.
• Bold Stadium – The Bold Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium that can accommodate up to 5,000 people, and it is built between the Grand Plaza and the Amphitheater. This is where the professional soccer team, Austin Bold FC played during the USL Championship in 2019. Aside from the Austin Bold FC, the Bold Stadium is also home to the Austin Gilgronis of the Major League Rugby.