ncr.rugby — National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) has officially announced the women’s brackets for the 2026 Collegiate Rugby 7s Championship (CRC 7s). Sixty-four of the top collegiate programs from across the country converge on the Maryland Soccerplex on Saturday-Sunday, Apri 25-26 in search of a national championship across four divisions.

Premier Cup

Brown is attempting the second four-peat in Women’s Collegiate Rugby Championship history, entering as a deserved top seed in the West. Opposite the Bears atop the East is American International College, third-place finishers last year. Long Island University makes its tournament debut as the three-seed on that side of the bracket, right below No. 2 Southern Nazarene, reigning XVs national champion.

Division I-AA

Defending champion Northeastern is attempting three national championships in as many semesters, having won the XVs title in December and the 7s championship last April. The Huskies, the top seed in the West, are the only team with a 7s national title in the field. James Madison, whose best finish was second in the Premier Cup to Penn State in 2014, takes the top billing in the East. Last year’s runner-up, Iowa, is the 2-seed on that side of the bracket.

Division II

Coast Guard has reigned supreme in Women’s Division II the last two semesters, winning a XVs national title in December and a 7s championship last spring. The defending champs, though, have lost Player of the Year Kate Boggs since and come in as a two-seed. Roger Williams, runners-up the last two years and winners in 2023, are the top seed out West, where the Hawks will be pushed by 2024 champion Wisconsin Eau Claire. Coastal Carolina takes the top billing in the East, where New Hampshire lurks, having beaten Endicott and Coast Guard already.

Division III

Endicott is trying to win its third national title in four years, having won it all in 2023 and 2025. The Gulls and their top contender, last year’s runner-up Baldwin Wallace, come in as the top seeds. XVs champion Colorado School of Mines won the High Peaks, earning the three-seed in the West. Nine teams return from last year’s bracket, including every quarterfinalist.