American Rugby: What It Is, Why It’s Different, and Where to Find It

When people talk about American rugby, a version of rugby played in the United States with unique cultural and structural differences from the global game. Also known as rugby union in the US, it’s not just rugby played on American soil—it’s shaped by local sports habits, limited funding, and a struggle for visibility against football and basketball. Unlike in New Zealand or England, where rugby is woven into national identity, American rugby exists in the margins. It’s played in college clubs, high schools in California and Utah, and amateur leagues from Portland to Philadelphia. It doesn’t get TV deals like the NFL, but it has loyal fans who show up week after week because they love the grit, the contact, and the raw honesty of the game.

What sets American rugby apart? For one, it’s mostly rugby union, the 15-a-side version of the sport governed by World Rugby, with set pieces, lineouts, and scrums. 15s dominates here, though rugby league, a faster, 13-a-side variant with fewer stoppages and different scoring, has small pockets of growth in cities like Chicago and Miami. The rules are the same as everywhere else—no forward passes, tackle below the shoulders, rucks and mauls—but the way it’s coached, marketed, and funded feels different. Many players come from football backgrounds, bringing physicality but sometimes struggling with the nuances of offloading and continuous play. Coaches often have to teach not just tactics, but the very culture of the game: respect for the referee, no arguing calls, and playing for the team, not the highlight reel.

There’s no single league that controls American rugby. Instead, it’s a patchwork of state associations, college programs, and semi-pro clubs under USA Rugby. The sport has seen spikes in interest after World Cups, especially when the US Eagles pull off an upset. But it’s the local clubs—like the San Francisco Golden Gate or the New York Athletic Club—that keep it alive. These aren’t professional teams with million-dollar salaries. They’re teachers, firefighters, and students who show up after work, train on public fields, and play for pride. And that’s what makes it special. You won’t find flashy sponsorships or corporate logos everywhere. You’ll find people who just love the game.

If you’re looking to understand how rugby works in the US, you’ll find real stories here—from how to get started as a beginner, to what it takes to referee a match in a small town, to why some players switch from football to rugby after college. You’ll see how training differs from Europe, how youth programs are growing, and what barriers still hold the sport back. The posts below don’t just talk about rules—they show you the people behind them, the places where rugby is growing, and the quiet battles being fought to make it more visible. Whether you’re a new player, a curious fan, or someone who just wants to know why rugby isn’t bigger here, you’ll find answers that aren’t found on ESPN.