LOS ANGELES — UCLA Men’s Rugby, one of the premier and most historic brands in American collegiate rugby, has officially announced it will join National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) beginning in the Fall of 2026.
After extensive internal discussions and careful consideration surrounding the evolving landscape of collegiate rugby, UCLA Men’s Rugby Head Coach Harry Bennett has made the decision for the program to join NCR beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.
While Bennett has led the Bruins for nearly five years — a relatively short tenure compared to many long-standing collegiate coaches — his time at UCLA has provided a unique opportunity to observe the collegiate rugby landscape with fresh perspective. Throughout that process, Bennett and the program have carefully evaluated the challenges, opportunities, and long-term direction of the college game.
Ultimately, Bennett believes the decision to join NCR represents the best path forward for UCLA Rugby while also aligning with a broader vision for the future of collegiate rugby in the United States. Major factors in UCLA’s decision to join NCR was the latter organization’s continued investment in professionally managed membership services and student-athlete support. Through NCR membership, UCLA Rugby will benefit from independent oversight and fair-play governance, a full-time professional staff dedicated to operations and membership services, and consistent comprehensive year-round national championship programming across both XVs and 7s competition. The Bruins will also have access to NCR’s nationally recognized All-American and Scholastic All-American programs, which celebrate excellence both on the field and in the classroom while providing additional exposure and development opportunities for UCLA student-athletes.
“This decision is about more than just UCLA,” Bennett said. “Over the last few years, I’ve had the chance to really study the collegiate landscape from multiple angles and have a lot of conversations with people across the game. I genuinely believe this move positions our players and program in the best possible environment while also supporting what I think should be a larger goal for college rugby moving forward — greater alignment, collaboration, and unity across the sport.”
While this decision presents new challenges, it positions UCLA to build a nationally-focused, high-performance schedule against many of the country’s top Division I programs while creating a streamlined pathway toward NCR’s premier XVs and 7s national championship events.
UCLA Rugby has long been recognized as a cornerstone of the American collegiate rugby landscape. The program has consistently produced elite-level talent, including USA Eagles, professional players, and international representatives, while maintaining a strong commitment to student-athlete development on and off the field.
“We’re really excited about joining NCR because it’s all about creating the best possible environment and opportunities for our student-athletes,” Bennett said. “NCR has built an impressive platform through its national events, media exposure, and overall membership experience. This decision gives us the flexibility to compete against top-level opposition across the country while providing a clear pathway in both XVs and 7s competition.”
As part of joining NCR, UCLA has already begun assembling an ambitious Fall 2026 schedule featuring several of NCR’s top Division I programs. The Bruins also intend to preserve key traditional rivalries through dual membership while continuing to expand their national footprint through marquee matchups and championship-caliber competition.
“We are thrilled to welcome UCLA to National Collegiate Rugby,” said Brad Dufek, NCR Men’s Director. “UCLA is one of the most recognizable and respected programs in collegiate rugby, and their addition reflects the continued growth and momentum of NCR competition at the highest level. We’re excited about what this partnership means for the future of the college game.”
About UCLA Rugby
Founded in 1934, UCLA Rugby is one of the nation’s premier collegiate rugby programs, competing at the highest levels of American college rugby for more than 90 years. The Bruins have produced numerous national team players, collegiate All-Americans, and professional athletes while building a legacy centered around competitive excellence, leadership, and student-athlete development.
