The stage is set for one of the most biggest events in men's collegiate rugby as the CRAA National Championships take over Indianapolis from May 1–3.
With powerhouse programs from across the country converging in Indianapolis, a full year of competition comes to a head as three National Champions will be crowned. Tickets are now available for the full weekend, and fans can watch all matches live on CRAA Rugby YouTube.
This year’s field features an impressive lineup of schools who earned their place in the championship event, representing the top collegiate rugby programs in Men's D1A and D1AA. Three preceding weeks of playoffs have resulted in 12 teams qualifying for this weekend in Indiana, with the marquee D1A match up between the University of California, Berkeley and US Naval Academy headlining the slate on Saturday night at May 2 at 7pm ET. Both teams have won National Titles in the last three years, Navy as recently as 2023 when they defeated Cal; while the Golden Bears will return to Indy as reigning champions from 2025.
Cal rides into the final with an unblemished record this year, while Navy recorded only one loss - that was to Cal in March, a close result of 52-45.
Santa Clara, St. Thomas, Davenport and Utah will also represent Men's D1A as finalists for the Challenger Cup. Each team will compete in a semifinal on Friday night, hoping to earn a spot in the Cup Final on Sunday, May 3.
St. Thomas make an impressive appearance in their first year at the D1A level, while Santa Clara look to cap off a back and fourth year with a win, having earned their spot in Indy through a play-in victory over UC Santa Cruz. St. Thomas equally won their spot in a decisive win over Ohio State. Those teams will meet Utah and Davenport, who come into Indy as the Challenger #1 seeds.
Adding to the loaded slate of premier rugby will be a second set if semis and finals, as Arizona State, Iowa State, Millennia Atlantic and Western Washington compete for D1AA honors with a similar schedule of Friday and Sunday fixtures.
All four teams will be in search of their first National Championship, with Iowa State the only returning team who placed runner up in 2023 and 2024, and third place last year. The Cyclones will have eyes set on finishing the job. Arizona State carry an impressive 7-2 record into the finals, but will need to get through Iowa State and an undefeated Western Washington to lift trophies in the end. Millenia Atlantic are the final piece to the championship puzzle, advancing as champions of the Florida Collegiate Conference to book their ticket to Indianapolis.
| Time | Match | Away | Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 1 | |||
| 11:00 AM | D1AA National Semifinal #1 | Arizona State | Iowa State |
| 1:30 PM | D1AA National Semifinal #2 | Millennia Atlantic | Western Washington |
| 4:00 PM | D1A Challenger Semifinal #1 | St. Thomas | Davenport |
| 6:30 PM | D1A Challenger Semifinal #2 | Santa Clara | Utah |
| Saturday, May 2 | |||
| 12:00 PM | U23 Bowl | Avaitors U23s | Chicago Griffins |
| 3:00 PM | D2 National Championship | California Lutheran | North Florida |
| 7:00 PM | D1A National Championship | Univ. of Cal - Berkeley | US Naval Academy |
| Sunday, May 3 | |||
| 10:00 AM | D1AA Challenger Cup | Loser Semi #2 | Loser Semi #1 |
| 12:30 PM | D1AA National Championship | Winner Semi #1 | Winner Semi #2 |
| 3:00 PM | D1A Challenger Cup | Winner Semi #1 | Winner Semi #2 |
“This championship represents the very best of what collegiate rugby has to offer,” said Paul Keeler, Director of CRAA. “From the commitment of the student-athletes to the passion of the supporters, this event continues to grow every year. We’re excited to bring this level of competition to Indianapolis and create an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.”
Tickets are available for purchase online at usa.rugby/tickets or at the gate throughout the event weekend.
