KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Women’s rugby is set to return to Kansas City this spring, as CPKC Stadium prepares to host a Pacific Four Series double-header on . The event will feature the United States facing Australia and Canada battling New Zealand, showcasing four of the world’s most successful women’s rugby nations.
This marks the sixth annual edition of the Pacific Four Series, a competition that has quickly become a cornerstone of the international women’s rugby calendar. New Zealand, known as the Black Ferns, enter the competition as the reigning champions, having secured titles in 2022, 2023, and 2025. The series provides a crucial platform for these teams to test themselves against elite competition in the lead-up to major international tournaments.
The announcement builds on a growing momentum for women’s rugby in the United States. Last year, a USA versus Canada match at CPKC Stadium drew a record crowd of 10,518, setting a new American attendance record for a standalone women’s rugby match. Organizers are hoping to build on that success and further establish Kansas City as a premier destination for the sport.
“We are thrilled to once again welcome the USA Women’s Eagles to CPKC Stadium as the world’s top women’s rugby players compete in the Pacific Four Series,” said Chris and Angie Long, co-owners of the Kansas City Current, in a statement. “CPKC Stadium is proud to host USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, bringing rugby fans from around the globe back to Kansas City. We are looking forward to another memorable, inspiring showcase of world-class rugby at the first stadium in the world purpose-built for women’s professional sports.”
The Pacific Four Series isn’t an isolated event for Kansas City. The city has also submitted a successful application to host matches during the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031, signaling a long-term commitment to growing the sport within the region. The hosting of both men’s and women’s world-class rugby events underscores Kansas City’s ambition to become a significant hub for the sport in the United States.
The Kansas City event is part of a broader schedule that will see matches played across the United States. The series will kick off on in Sacramento, California, at Heart Health Park, with the USA taking on New Zealand and Canada facing Australia. Following the Kansas City matches, the series will move to Chicago’s SeatGeek Stadium on , where the USA will face Canada. Australia and New Zealand will compete in Queensland, Australia, on the same day.
Here’s a complete look at the schedule:
- | Sacramento | Heart Health Park
- USA vs. New Zealand at 6 p.m. CT
- Canada vs. Australia at 9 p.m. CT
- | Kansas City | CPKC Stadium
- Canada vs. New Zealand at 5:15 p.m. CT
- USA vs. Australia at 8 p.m. CT
- | Chicago | Seatgeek Stadium
- USA vs. Canada at 7:30 p.m. CT
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin expressed excitement about bringing more rugby to the U.S., highlighting the significance of these events in the lead-up to the 2031 Men’s and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cups, both of which will be hosted in the United States. The Pacific Four Series is seen as a key component in building excitement and awareness for the sport ahead of those landmark events.
Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC, emphasized the city’s growing reputation as a host for world-class women’s sports. “Kansas City and CPKC Stadium have made their presence known as a premier destination for world-class women’s sports competition,” Nelson said. “We were proud to set a new American attendance record for a women’s rugby match in 2025, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of fans once again this spring.”
Tickets for the Pacific Four Series will go on pre-sale on , with general public sales beginning on . Fans interested in securing tickets can register for the pre-sale access here.
The 2026 Pacific Four Series promises to be a compelling showcase of international women’s rugby, with Kansas City playing a central role in the competition and the broader growth of the sport in the United States.
