The growth of rugby in the United States 

It is growing because it is the ultimate athletic team sport! It depends on individual talent as well as team chemistry and play strategy! It has everything! Speed, tackling, strength, emotions and above all it doesn't stop every 5sec

Glad to see Rugby becoming more popular in the United States. Please support your national team in the world cup, every time I see them play they are getting better and better and they deserve the support of your great people and nation.

American high schooler here in Nebraska. Rugby is getting really big here where I’m from. Our team has won state multiple times and there’s a college just North of us where rugby game attendance has officially passed football attendance (talking about American football)

My son is a sophomore in High school first year playing and he loves it! Just taking me sometime to understand the game but I love watching him play!! It's Great!

It’s growing because its better than football 😀😀

rugby really is growing on me. I would love to see it here in the US! PLEASE MAKE IT happen :)

Rugby is the best and most exciting field game on the planet! That's why it's growing.. I'm very pleased to see it grow in the USA!

thing is, could the USA public tolerate seeing their team getting beaten over and over like Italy until they come good?

I sincerely hope broadcasters give rugby it's airtime in the states. I'm pretty sure a lot people would find it entertaining and embrace it when they've familiarised themselves with the rules.

Every American rugger is like.. "I told you it was awesome!!"

I would love for this sport to become one of the top sports in the world even more famous then soccer

Im from New Zealand we eat, sleep & breathe Rugby its our National sport especially 15 aside rugby! I reckon the USA are doing really well in 7s rugby 😊

I'd SO LOVE to see a US Collegiate 7's competition held over a weekend, building on existing rivalries and unleashing the athletic talent already existing there... And helping appreciation of 15's to grow.

its truly a mans game . Tough game played by warriors and what i like about it there is no faking ,falling on the ground and crying in pain . They just play hard !

It's a great time for rugby in the USA and when NBC gets involved, it's a game-changer for all.

Sevens is a great gateway drug for Americans that don't know about Union.

As an American, Rugby Union is the best sport in the world! Go NZ All Blacks! Year round...

Rugby's a thug sport played by gentlemen, Soccer a gentlemen sport played by thugs, Gridiron just a game of chess played by crash test dummies...

I’m hoping that the MLR is successful. Watching developments with interest, especially since the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby Union bought minority shares in the Seattle Seawolves team....hmmmm

this is what i dont like about corporate america....EVERYTHING is classed as a "product" or "property"........it bloody RUGBY....not rocket science.........SHOW it and let the people decide themselves

Rugby is one of the greatest team sport. Only the majority of americans don't know that yet. I'm being harsh I know ^^ Good on them for trying to make a breakthrough .

Rugby has a future as a mid-major sport in the US the four major US/Canadian sports are loved and long established they are all four in the top five highest grossing leagues in the world but being a mid-major sport in the US/Canadian market not a bad thing golf,tennis,motorsports,combat sports,soccer,Lacrosse all do ok.

It's great America is growing into Rugby it's a fabulous game to play and watch . It's a game that brings people together know matter who you support . And if you get to see international Rugby then your into a great day out with the family .

Respect is a big part of rugby. Usa players seem to be too cocky,they are like that in most sports so not sure if they will change that lol

Hope to go it gets big! An NFL game is as stop/start as an American car.

To be honest rugby is by far the toughest sport in the world in my opinion. I mean compared to other sports rugby players careers are not as long as someone who plays in another sport. I mean its brutal its fast paced, its non stop and its 80 minutes 40 minutes each half. U have to be strong, fast, tough and have insane endurance. U play both offence and defence. Pacific Islanders are definitely built for this.

it's growing because majority have talents for sports but once they're not picked up after uni they're pretty much done for with their career. Club rugby will provide many of those unsigned athletes to use their talents and even get paid for it.

The USA can be the ones to grow the sport of Rugby to become worldwide

RWC needs to be hosted in the US

Without doubt RU is the best team game ever invented. It's 80 minutes of exciting non stop action by very fit and committed athletes. It's a global sport that the USA should take part in ( Canda, Argentina already do ). I hear the US TV is to start airing the 6 Nations.... enjoy !!

America has great potential for rugby

Rugby Union is a game of rugby where u don't stop until the whistle blows. You think you guys can do that?

I would loved to see Sir Richard Branson's Virgin media Group, create their own 24 hour sports channel either here in U.S. or even more prevalent in the U.K. & Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Oceania and broadcast Both Rugby Union & Rugby League, and also Cricket, Formula 1 Auto Racing, Polo etc..Sort of how NBC Universal/Comcast purchased Sky Sports from FOX Sports, and made it a Sky Sports a division of NBC Sports Universal/Comcast, for their international audience.... My suggestion in the idea for the "24 hour Virgin Sports channel" would for the 24 hour "Virgin Sports channel" to become a division of the FOX Sports Group, and since the idea is for the Virgin Sports channel to become 24 hour sports channel owned exclusively by the FOX Sports Group, I would reccomend for the Virgin Sports channel to be broadcasted outside of the U.S. and broadcasted in the market's of the U.K. & Ireland, mainland Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Oceania, Asia, South Africa, Canada, Middle East, and North Africa and other foreign countries, and have FOX Sports 1 and 2 be easily accessible along with rebranding FOX Soccer plus, to FOX Sports + for the U.S. audience, and may Rugby Union and league, along with Cricket, Formula 1, and a top flight European soccer league, college football, basketball, be all part of the programming FOX Sports 1 & 2 and Fox Sports+ cable channel.

I want to point out that NBC has dropped the ball with the HSBC sevens. Since broadcasting has moved to ESPN I have been able to view every match and watch them in almost real time. At this point I prefer ESPN to NBC and am happy that they've taken over the broadcasting rights because they seem to care more about giving it airtime.

I love rugby I will always love rugby

To me, rugby is the best sport of all. Much more entertaining than soccer, American football, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, cricket, softball, badminton, volleyball, hockey, etc etc etc etc.

EA Sports Rugby for the PS2 was what got me and my friends and family into rugby back in 2004.

I look forward to seeing Saudi Arabia play Indonesia in women's rugby.

One small problem for the 15 man game in the USA. Rugby is a winter game and grew up in the milder European climate. It would not be able to cope with the bitter temperatures of a Nth Am. climate without serious compromises. Maybe along the Gulf Coast but beyond that it would require expensive indoor stadia presumably with artificial turf. Saying that Canada gets by with an abbreviated season and her better players get European contracts. But that doesn't produce the depth of experience required to build an international threat. Don't get me wrong. I would love for the USA to fully embrace the game. The personal values gained and traits developed by playing the game are invaluable. One small hint. Rugby is never short of a sponsor. If you can identify from these those who can play the long game and convince them to build smaller stadiums and support a semi-pro competition you could develop players who can get contracts in New Zealand competitions (best coaches) or other Super franchises (Australia) as well as the European leagues. Who knows, Seattle already uses Rugby methods to teach defence. Maybe some NFL teams could be convinced that this may be a decent training resource. The only thing Rugby does not need is the hyper-masculinity bullshit. It is a team game and show-offs undermine that.

Glad it is growing in the states ,,,roll on the Ireland v USA game

Rugby will only grow in the US when the game gets into the high schools which will in turn strengthen the college competition flowing then into post-college leagues and on to state and national teams. Rugby was originally a schoolboys game, and today it is still the lifeblood of the international game.

I remember reading an article in the Rugby Mag by the CEO of Rugby USA. He's kiwi btw. Anyway he said world rugby would be in real trouble if the Americans take it on board. He said if more people start watching, they will start throwing more money at it to develop it, and that all the major college football programs put more $ into their football than the NZR puts into the game across the entire NZRU.

Rugby provides an "out" to the big four fatigue (football, baseball, basketball, hockey). Shorter season, reasonable ticket prices, quality players on the field will allow rugby union to find its niche in the USA sports market. Success of the 7's game (which is also played on the collegiate level) will bring people to the 15's game, thus enabling future success of rugby in the USA. Thanks to Mike Friday (coach of USA 7's) and the players he has selected to lead the upsurge of USA 7's as a big part of the resurgence. Long time dedicated local fans (I followed Puget Sound Old Boys, based in Seattle, for years) will ensure that MLR will be a viable entity long into the future. Continued television exposure is what is needed, and as long as CBS, NBCSN or ESPN (or whoever has the television contract in the future) do not overcharge for their services, or, broadcast the games in odd hours of the day, the televised exposure will assist in this endeavor.

I would love to see this grow there is rumour US want's to stage the rugby world cup in 2027 or 2031

PLEASE don't bring the same BS showboating that goes on in the NFL to the sport of rugby, America. It is not an ego wars sport, it is a team game through and through. Please respect that.

HERE'S SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Show more Women's Rugby. Women at the upper levels play more "textbook" rugby and in a way that's easier for people new to the sport to follow. Also, women's rugby is empowering to women and girls -- in a positive way. -- There, I said it -- Let the hate begin . . .

Cheers from Aotearoa NZ.

I don't know if American NBC are dumb or whatever? But Dudes! If you wanna draw viewers to the screen and watch Rugby, then show the Rugby championship. FYI..it is the best playing/experience in Rugby ever! Firstly you have many choices of teams to follow many of whom are World class. IE, NZ players, Aussie players, South African players even Japanese and Argentinian players. Far better viewing entertainment! Anyways that's all I have to say right now.😑😉

Carlin Aisle and Perry Baker could make it into NZ 7s team on talent alone also we currently have a couple of Yanks in our top team's in Aotearoa so I believe USA Eagles aren't too far from knocking on higher honours in both forms of the game!!! Kia Kaha Kia Maia Kia Manawanui You got this USA Rugby!!!🏉🏉🏉

He was right at the end.... we say soccer is a gentleman's sport played by hooligans, and rugby is hooligans game played by gentlemen. Great discipline and mutual respect. Sponsors should be all over it.

Rugby is better than American football as a game easily but has so so far to go-eventhough the USA is away behind Europe in Rugby as a sport here in Europe it isn't the most popular, only one country in the world where rugby is number one that's new Zealand so it won't be anytime soon rugby will get big.

RUGBY is LIFE the rest is just details!

Coming from a country where rugby is almost a religion. I am so glad that it is catching on in the US. I'm doing my teacher's license and I want to move to the US. Hoping I can train a team there or contributing to its growth. South African. Go USA.

FOX SPORTS WORLD, used to broadcast Rugby from it's launch in 1997 to 2003 -2004....until it became the FOX Soccer channel, and FOX Sports World was no more!

Rugby reminds me of where UFC was once at in the US. It only took a few visionaries and now UFC has surpassed boxing

Rugby's greatest championship the six nations ... really lol? There is a reason why the southern hemisphere has THE Rugby Championship

Said it for many years now... If the Yanks truly adopt rugby and pump money into its development, they will become a powerhouse in world rugby.

If nothing else this will increase the competition for NZ/Aus/SA/Pacific player imports. Actually that should make the French happy; they often complain about too many foreigners in their league.

well the home win in vegas certainly helped,two years ago their sevens mens team couldnt make a final,now they are winning rounds,womens too.We ,kiwis always thought that USA would become a force eventually,got so many good athletes

Just broadcast it alot more then it will grow in America, Rugby is absolutely awesome to watch.

Rugby Codes: 7's League (13/side) Union (15/side)

once the u.s sinks its teeth into it and throws money at their team they will be hard to stop. Americans are notorious for being stats and numbers driven vs performance and i would like to see the running abilities on show, side step vs the juke, goose step vs the spin, rugbys looking good for the future

yes

But is it really growing? The same has been said since the 1970s. I see less amateur clubs where I live, and believe me, having been a scheduling secretary of my old club back in the 80s, there still is a problem with even getting places to play the game, as many cities have recreation departments, or county rec departments, that allow soccer over rugby, and do not want their grass fields chewed up during the rainy time of the year. I have seen in the high schools in Northern California and Central California the sport of la crosse become more popular. I see more colleges, but then again, some somewhat newer programs stopped even before Covid, notably at two of the smaller private universities in Northern California that shall remain unnamed. I do not consider Major League Rugby as very American either, because so many players are from overseas. I don't think it will last long anyway. There are some clubs that already folded, and newer ones replaced them, but for how long? Unfortunately, for most American kids, they want to play football, baseball, and basketball, so rugby will remain one of those alternate sports. Nothing wrong with that. It's been that way for many decades.

It never ceases to amaze me that "men's" team sports in the US are all padding, helmets and gloves (a "product" to sell to kids of course, even though you don't need one to catch a ball - watch any cricket highlights vid on youtube), whereas young US women tend to take up team sports like "soccer" or rugby and get kicked to bits with no padding.

Please don't get offended my American cuzzy's , but you can't even compare Rugby to American Football. Rugby's the greatest game on the planet to play and to watch. Rugby's the game they play in heaven and once you give it a go you'll never be the same , especially if you give it a go playing it. The club atmosphere is second to none , you won't just gain a new hobby or sport , you'll gain a family!.

Thank god the MLR exists and is in its second season. Go Seawolves!

The game is getting bigger. I have watched so much mens and womens rugby streaming over the net in the past few years. The amount of colleges and competitions going on in America is amazing. The US has money to fund so many sports compared to organizations in New Zealand. We have to fund our grass roots and school rugby to keep our talent. One thing the US has that we don't is so many track and field stars as well. We don't have Perry Bakers and Carlin Isles type athletes...

Problem is... NFL its like trying to start a car that wont start... 3 hr games where statically they say 11 Min of action.... Imagine all the ad revenue during a NFL game? Its sacrilege to air any Ad during any Union (even league) gameplays...... They do in those little stop moments.... 3hrs.... 11 mins, Versus 80min. 2 x 40min... Not much Ad time........ You Get the Gist. Dont fk with Union.

Anyone to play rugby with me in Texas? Please, I'm a big fan of this wonderful sport and US Eagles, but I'm alone and I don't have people who share my passion.

I would love to see the NFL crumble to the sport of Rugby 🏉! Probably a pipe dream but I have grown tired of the political issues in the NFL taking over what once was the greatest game ever played. I’m now 100% Rugby 🏉

The United States won a couple of Gold Medals in the Olympics back in the 1920's for Rugby ... It's True !

Simple. Because they're throwing tonnes of money at it

I keep looking for expansion news for MLR and I am hoping it will succeed... USA has been denied professional Rugby way too long.

There is absolutely NO DOUBT that rugby is immeasurably better than so-called "football". There is NO contest, so it's not surprising if the evidently better game that growing in the US. Two halves of 40 minutes uninterrupted coverage - priceless.

America just won Bronze Medal in world 7's comp!..The 2 Rugby codes will continue to grow in the USA as your football code declines because it's become to technical and 'rule' ridden! 'Time outs' are not seen in any other code that i know of, and the constant flag chucking, every 30 seconds it seems, just constantly stopping the game while Refs have a 2 minute discussion about what just happened, slowing the game to a crawl!..In the Rugby codes, people are seeing speed, non stop! Real tackling not just push and shove! No silly 'time outs' except for serious injury! And no flag chucker's!..In 5-7 years, America will be a Rugby world power!

If you get ESPN plus For five bucks a month you can follow the world rugby sevens in 2019 and USA is leading the series. It's a great way to spend the weekend because there are many games as each rugby sevens game is only 14 mins. And playoff are on sundays.

They need camera men that know how to capture the game to often you are rugby filmed by people that are use to NFL and it looks ugly

Just watch Maro Itoje. Then tell us rugby isn’t media worthy

Look y'all, Gridiron Football is the most violent team sport there is. When I heard that Vincent Jackson DRANK HIMSELF TO DEATH because of CTE, I wanted to puke. Head trauma is still a very real problem in Sevens, League and Union but it still pales in comparison to the amount of head trauma in Gridiron. Also, I think the NFL should promote the URC, Top14, Premiership and Super Rugby because it has more in common with Gridiron then Association Football.

The potential of the USA Eagles was interresting in 2015, unfortunately some good or essential players like Todd Clever, Scott LaValla, Adam Siddall,Tom Cooligan,Nick Wallace, Chad London were absent during the World Cup in England.

This is great news for U.S Rugby. T.V and social media is a critical part of the equation to sell the Rugby in the America. As the game grows in U.S we must take care our players welfare! This way they can able to support their families.

El "Futbol Americano" es el único deporte que no se practica en el resto del mundo de manera masiva o no es muy conocido por el resto de los países. Se podría decir es un deporte autóctono (como el pato en la argentina). Por el contrario el Rugby es conocido en todo el mundo gracias a los ingleses. La principal razón de que hoy USA no se potencia mundial es por su patriotismo. De no practicar deportes ingleses. Pero bueno así le va en competencias oficiales (Fútbol y Rugby).

usa is good in "football" so, no doubt they can catch up in rugby. if they focus on rugby, they will be as good as aussie, england, south africa,new zealand and scotland

Sports market too oversaturated in US for the 15 man game. And the rules too complex for the average American fan. If it’s number 4 or below sport in Australia not much chance of it being any better in USA IMO. Maybe find a small niche, but not much more IMO. 7s has a better chance, but not the same game.

Hopefully NBC would throw Super Rugby and MLR in there to.

Rugby is a great game, better then MLB and NBA and you don’t have to wait 7 games to decide a winner

The main fact is rugby is a very complex sport and hard to understand that’s why most Americans don’t watch it

major league rugby in the u.s is in its first year

4:14 The six nations is rugby's greatest championship? Really???

How can they? You can't stop every 10 minutes for adverts

I am glad that US is growing about Rugby Union and I have no doubt Rugby will be popular in US. I hope they continue to explore lots of games. 😃

Its a shame most of what I've seen in the US is Rugby 7's, full 15 man Rugby union is the best form but in time that may change. There is also rugby league which has 13 players.

The nfl always has a game In England. I think there should be premiership rugby in us.

I've read in the comments that Rugby is a game played by the men of men. I guess South Africa being the current world champs, makes our guys the ultimate men of men🤣👍🏼👊🇿🇦

Interesting at 5:20 that guy looked more like he was playing NFL stop/start style.

Could be a sleeping giant in the USA,which could dominate i future years

Well, Bandai America will form The Joint Mexican-American-Canadian Rugby league.

I struggle with the USA entering as a country I feel the US should enter as states almost like how the united kingdom enters as individuals

Rugby needs a regular season?? WTF does that mean? Does golf have a regular season? No, but it has it's own channel on cable? Rugby has a season. It starts January 1 and ends December 31. How's that for season? If you need to limit it, how about playing it only during the spring and summer. Guess what, unlike the American only sports, it's played in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres and so if you limit playing to only two seasons of the year it is still going to be played year round. American exceptionalism is such an embarrassing thing to suffer from. "This is how WE do it and so the rest of the world needs to do it like we do."