Wildcats, Gators, Chanticleers Earn 1st Bids to

The first automatic bids to the 2026 Collegiate Rugby Championship have been secured, with three teams punching their tickets to the national 7s tournament at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds from April 24-26. The Kentucky Wildcats men’s squad went 5-0 at the Pitt Dome 7s, earning their Men’s Division I Club bid with a 22-17 victory over Western Michigan, following a 40-12 semifinal win against Delaware. Meanwhile, the Florida Gators women mirrored Kentucky’s perfect 5-0 run at the Love at First Ruck 7s, becoming the first Women’s DI Club qualifier by defeating rival Florida State 17-12, including a 46-0 shutout against Citadel. Lastly, Coastal Carolina’s women secured their inaugural Women’s DII bid, going unbeaten to capture the Love at First Ruck DII title with a 29-17 win over South Florida, after outscoring pool opponents 100-20. These qualifications ignite an exciting journey for the 144 teams aspiring for national glory, setting a high standard for US collegiate rugby fans.