Women’s Elite Rugby Announces 2026 Season Schedule, Tickets Now on Sale
Provided by the Women’s Elite Rugby (WER)
TWIN CITIES, MINNESOTA — Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), the first professional women’s rugby league in the United States, has officially unveiled its full 2026 season schedule, with opening matches set for Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Alongside the schedule announcement, league officials confirmed that tickets are now on sale for all six teams, including single-game options and full-season packages.
A Defining Year for Professional Women’s Rugby
“The 2026 season marks a defining moment for Women’s Elite Rugby,” said Dr. Jessica Hammond-Graf, co-founder and president of the league. “Some larger venues and growing fan bases in returning markets mean increased visibility for our athletes and teams. This season reflects our commitment to growing the professional game and creating meaningful opportunities for women’s rugby to thrive in the United States, while building a league positioned for long-term success.”
The 2026 campaign builds on momentum from WER’s inaugural season, which debuted in 2025 following the league’s official launch announcement in 2024. The league was formed to elevate the standard of women’s rugby nationwide, transitioning from the amateur Women’s Premier League (WPL) model into a fully professional structure.
Six Teams, Six Markets, National Reach
All six founding franchises will return for the 2026 season, competing in stadiums across the country:
Bay Breakers — Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
Boston Banshees — Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy, Massachusetts
Chicago Tempest — Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois
Denver Onyx — Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado
New York Exiles — Memorial Field, Mt. Vernon, New York
TC Gemini — TCO Stadium, Eagan, Minnesota
For Twin Cities fans, the return of the TC Gemini to TCO Stadium offers another opportunity to watch elite-level women’s rugby in a professional stadium setting. The Gemini were among the six teams featured in WER’s inaugural season and are expected to once again draw strong local support.
TC Gemini 2026 Schedule - More information: https://www.womenseliterugby.us/schedule-tc-gemini
Championship: The Legacy Cup
The regular season will culminate in late August with The Legacy Cup, the league’s championship match. The exact date and host location are still to be determined.
League officials say the 2026 season will feature a summer slate of competitive matchups designed to showcase the league’s 180 professional athletes and further expand WER’s national footprint.
Provided by the Women’s Elite Rugby (WER)
Tickets and Media Access
Tickets for all 2026 regular-season matches are available now at womenseliterugby.us/tickets. Fans can purchase single-game tickets or secure season packages.
Members of the media, including photographers, videographers, and content creators, are invited to apply for credentials through WER’s official credential request form. Applications will be reviewed by the league’s public relations team, with confirmation or denial sent after evaluation.
About Women’s Elite Rugby
Women’s Premier League served as the foundation for the professional league. Established in 2009 as a national, amateur pay-to-play competition, the WPL helped grow high-level women’s rugby across the country.
With the creation of Women’s Elite Rugby, the sport has entered a new era—ushering world-class competition into a professional framework designed to elevate visibility, expand commercial opportunities, and inspire the next generation of athletes.
For the full 2026 schedule, team information, and ticket details, visit womenseliterugby.us.
Written by: Will Wight
