USA Rugby and Women’s Elite Rugby Enter Sanctioning Agreement

USA Rugby and Women’s Elite Rugby have announced the formalization of a sanctioning agreement ahead of the league’s inaugural 2025 season, ensuring that it will work to operate in alignment with World Rugby’s standards and regulations on the professional level.

“WER is proud to be working alongside USA Rugby as we launch our inaugural season this month,” said Jessica Hammond-Graf, WER president. “We are confident that the start of WER will be a key moment in the growth of the sport, and we can’t wait for fans to experience the excitement and intensity of high-level, professional women’s rugby in the U.S.”

Women’s Elite Rugby will officially launch its inaugural season this month, with six professional teams (Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York and Twin Cities) competing across the United States.

The season will kick off March 22 with an opening match between the New York Exiles and Boston Banshees at Memorial Stadium in Mount Vernon, New York. The regular season will run from March 22 through June 14, with matches taking place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“This is an exciting and key moment for women’s rugby in the United States, as USA Rugby establishes multi-level collaboration with WER,” said Bill Goren, USA Rugby chief executive officer. “Expanding professional women’s rugby to the fifteens game is fundamental to the overall growth of the sport, particularly as the rugby community looks ahead to an all-important Rugby World Cup 2033 on home soil. We’re excited to support WER’s process of building new opportunities for women’s rugby fans, players and contributors in this inaugural season.”

The partnership between USA Rugby and WER serves as a commitment for long-term success for professional women’s rugby in the United States in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup in 2025, which begins August 22 in England.