Ilona Maher’s Debut with U.K. Rugby Team Bristol Bears Was So Popular They Had to Move Stadiums

Mar. 15, 2025

Ilona Maher on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024.Photo:Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty

Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty

Ilona Maheris making her impact across the pond!

Organizers moved the match from a smaller venue to Ashton Gate, where a crowd of 9,240 spectators took in the match against defending champion Gloucester-Hartpury, according toThe Associated Press.

Ilona Maher at the USA House in Paris on July 31, 2024.Joe Scarnici/Getty

Joe Scarnici/Getty

In December 2024, the Olympian announced that she had signed a three-month contract with the Bristol team in a hilarious video on social media.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In the video, Maher proudly wore a Bears uniform and shared her excitement in joining the iconic league. She also joked about her new team’s mascot — and England’s cold temps.

“Are there actually bears here? Because I don’t know what to…are grizzly bears the nice ones? Black bears are the mean ones right?,” Maher wondered aloud. “Just a question — is it gonna be this cold the whole time? It’s a little, little chilly,” she asked the crew, who had no response.

source: people.com