CRAA-USA Rugby College Women’s Premier 7s National Championship Field Announced

The College Rugby Association of America’s (CRAA) has announced the field for the 2023 CRAA-USA Rugby College Women’s Premier 7s National Championship, May 5th-7th at Sabercats Stadium in Houston, TX.  This year’s event will combine the XVs and 7s National Championship events for Men and Women, bringing a full festival experience to one of the best rugby venues in the country. Matches will be streamed LIVE on The Rugby Network. 

2023 CRAA COLLEGE WOMEN’S PREMIER 7s NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Featuring the top rugby programs in the nation, the field in Houston will bring varsity and club programs together for a winner-take-all competition only rugby sevens can offer. Defending Champion Lindenwood Lions will return to the pitch, seeking a record fifth straight premier National Championship. 

In an effort to create a world-class experience for fans and student-athletes alike, CRAA has partnered with the Houston Sabercats and Major League Rugby to create an unparalleled digital experience for more than 40 of USA Rugby’s premier, high performance college programs in attendance.  

“Championship weekend is lining up to be one of the best displays of high performance rugby in the country as we bring the best programs in college rugby together,,” said Paul Keeler, President of CRAA, “Our volunteer staff, members and partners come together to create one of the best weekends of high energy, high performance rugby with many future USA Eagles on display.”  

CRAA Championship Weekend Partners include: 8×8 Sports, RTIC, World Rugby Shop, VisitPearland, AIG, AEG Rugby, Houston Physicians Hospital, All American Orthopedic, Pickle Juice Sport, Wintergreen, Houston Sabercats, Major League Rugby and The Rugby Network.

Sabercats Stadium will be the backdrop for all championship matches on May 6-7, 2023. Sabercats Stadium is a proper rugby union stadium in Houston, Texas, as part of Houston Sports Park and is home to the Houston Sabercats of Major League Rugby (MLR). The facility was opened on April 13, 2019, is the first stadium built specifically for use by Major League Rugby, and the second rugby-specific stadium for professional competition in the United States.

CRAA has partnered with The Rugby Network (TRN) to provide free online streaming of XVs and Sevens matches with professional broadcast production. TRN provides full 1080p HD streams with replays and highlights of every single  MLR match.  They also produce weekly rugby shows, documentaries, and latest news from the MLR.

The College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) is a USA Rugby sanctioned competition that includes premier divisions within Men’s and Women’s Collegiate rugby.  The competition  includes Men’s D1A, Men’s D1AA, Women’s D1 Elite, Women’s D1 and Women’s D2.  CRAA is committed to creating the best possible experience for student athletes, keeping commercial resources in the collegiate game, and creating experiences for our members to engage their academic institutions and alumni.