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INDIANAPOLIS – The College Rugby Association of America (CRAA), in partnership with USA Rugby and the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA), is proud to announce the CRAA USA Rugby Women’s 7s National Championship, set to take place in Indianapolis at Kuntz Stadium, on April 25-26, 2026.
“The CRAA Women’s 7s National Championship is more than just a tournament,” Paul Keeler, President of CRAA, emphasized the broader vision. “It’s a milestone in building a sustainable pathway for women’s rugby in the United States. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, our goal is to give players and programs the resources, competition and exposure they need to thrive on the world stage.”
The tournament will feature two competitive brackets – Premier and Challenger – bringing together the top women’s rugby programs from CRAA and NIRA. The event will showcase the very best in collegiate women’s rugby, uniting programs from across the country in a two-day competition at the highest level of the collegiate game.
“This event ensures our best women’s programs are playing in meaningful matches with national championship implications,” added Ryszard Chadwick, Life University Head Coach. “It’s about preparing these athletes for what’s next — whether that’s professional rugby, USA Sevens or the Olympics.”
This championship has been deliberately structured to provide a talent identification pathway to the USA Women’s Sevens National Team, aligning with long-term planning ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. By uniting CRAA and NIRA institutions in a single national championship competition, players will gain meaningful high-performance match minutes, national exposure, and direct visibility with USA Rugby’s talent identification programs. The combined Premier and Challenger brackets ensure that elite and emerging programs alike have a platform to compete, develop, and contribute to the next generation of Eagles.
“Having our student-athletes compete on a national stage with CRAA programs not only elevates the standard of play but also reinforces the growth of women’s rugby in the U.S.,” said Katie Dowty, Dartmouth College Head Coach. “This collaboration creates a true developmental bridge between collegiate competition and the international game.”
Dartmouth College is the reigning Premier 7s champion (read more from Paola Arredondo Almeida), and Stanford is the reigning Challenger 7s champion (read more from Kirsten Lees and the Cardinal’s double-title spring).
“Riverside Sports Properties is proud to welcome the CRAA Women’s 7s National Championship back to Kuntz Stadium for the second consecutive year, reinforcing Indianapolis’s role as a leader in women’s and collegiate sport,” Bryce Campbell, General Manager of Riverside Sports Properties, closed. “This event reflects our shared commitment with the City of Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corp, and our rugby partners to build a world-class, inclusive venue that serves as both a community asset and a platform for national competition.”
For more information, visit craa.rugby.