2026 USA Club 15s Rugby National Championships – Schedule, Viewing Options, and Results – May 15-17

The 2026 USA Club Rugby XVs National Championships are heading to the Chicago area this May 15–17. The Chicago Blaze Rugby Complex in Lemont, Illinois, will host three full days of action as the top clubs in the country battle for the biggest prize in the game.

This tournament carries a massive legacy that started back in 1979, and every team arriving in the Midwest is looking to add their name to a history book that includes some of the greatest programs to ever play in the States. We are guaranteed to see some incredible storylines this year, especially with several defending champions fighting to keep their trophies.

Women’s Division I

The Utah Vipers are still the team to beat as the defending champions, having beaten NOVA 49-34 last year in Indianapolis. They return to the national stage after winning the Northern Super Regional final. They will face the San Diego Surfers in the first semifinal on Friday, May 15, who advanced after a dominant performance in the Pacific Super Regional. On the other side of the bracket, former national champion NOVA looks to reclaim their spot at the top after winning the Atlantic Super Regional. They take on Life University, who won the Gulf Coast Super Regional to reach Nationals in their first ever club season.

The history of this division is legendary, with the All Blues holding a record 11 titles. San Diego is no stranger to this stage, having been runner-up as far back as 1985 and winning titles in 2009, 2010, and 2023. NOVA has a long history of success as well, finishing as the runner-up to Utah last year and holding titles from 2019, 2022, and 2024.

Women’s Division II

The semifinalists have emerged from a grueling regional path. The Tampa Bay Krewe represent the South after winning the Gulf Coast Super Regional, joined by the Milwaukee Scylla, who secured the Northern Super Regional title. The bracket is rounded out by Life West out of the Pacific and Phoenixville White Horse, who advanced as the Atlantic Super Regional champions.

Tampa Bay Krewe returns to the National pathway for the first time since 2011 where they were runner-up and in 2010 where they won it all. Milwaukee Scylla previously took the title in 2017. Life West brings a unique history to the mix; they won the WD1 title in 2017 and 2018 but are competing in WD2 this year, a division they previously won in 2016. Phoenixville White Horse returns as a serious contender after a runner-up finish in 2024.

For a full breakdown of the women’s league season, Super Regionals, and how each team qualified, go here.

Recent Women’s Championship History

Men’s Division I

The road to the D1 trophy is set with four heavyweights ready to clash on Friday. New York Old Blue (Atlantic) will take on the Austin Blacks (Gulf Coast) in the first semifinal. Following that, the Seattle Orcas (Pacific) face off against the Chicago Lions (Northern).

This division is the oldest in the competition, and the history is dominated by the legendary Old Blues RFC Berkeley with eight titles. While Belmont Shore took the trophy in 2025, they are out of the hunt this year, leaving the field wide open. New York Old Blue is looking to finally push through after finishing as the runner-up in 2023 and 2025, while the Austin Blacks want to reclaim the top spot they last held in 2023. The Chicago Lions and Seattle Orcas enter as strong regional champions looking to add a first ever D1 title to their club legacies.

Men’s Division II

The quest for the D2 title features Atlanta Old White returning as the defending champion after securing the top seed from the Gulf Coast Super Regional. They are set to face Kansas City, the Northern Super Regional champions, in the Saturday semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, Belmont Shore represents the Pacific after a strong regional run, taking on North Bay, who advanced as the top D2 side out of the Atlantic.

Atlanta Old White has recently established themselves as a D2 powerhouse, winning the title in 2025 with a dominant 39-8 victory over Boise United. They face a field looking to make their own history, including Belmont Shore, who is aiming for a D2 trophy after their D1 success last year. North Bay and Kansas City both enter the weekend after fighting through their respective regional brackets to reach the final four.

Men’s Division III

A new champion is guaranteed in Division III this year. The Syracuse Chargers reached the national stage by winning the Atlantic Super Regional and will take on Life West, the Pacific Super Regional winners, in the second Saturday semifinal. The first matchup features Brevard Old Red Eye, who qualified after winning the Gulf Coast Super Regional final, facing off against the Detroit Tradesmen representing the North.

Division III was added to the championships in 2000. While the Austin Blacks have dominated this division recently with titles in 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024, their absence this year leaves the door open for a new name on the trophy. The Syracuse Chargers are looking to finally secure the top spot after finishing as the national runner-up in 2011, while Life West is aiming to return to the winner’s circle after a runner-up finish in 2014.