What Is the APR Games? America's Player-First Rugby Tournament, Explained
New to American Pro Rugby? This is the plain-English version: what the APR Games is, why we started it, who it is for, and how you can play, coach, watch or support it in Las Vegas over Memorial Day Weekend 2027.
The APR Games is an annual rugby tournament in Las Vegas built around the player. Run by American Pro Rugby, it brings Men's Elite, Women's Social and Youth divisions together for three evenings of 10s rugby under floodlights, with $15,000 in prize money and a $299 player entry that includes your kit. The first edition is Memorial Day Weekend, May 29–31, 2027.
If you have already read our complete APR Games 2027 guide, you know the schedule and the prize breakdown. This article is the one to send to a teammate, a parent, a friend who played in college, or anyone who has just seen our posts and asked, "Wait, what is this?" It covers the basics in plain language, explains why the APR Games exists at all, and answers the questions newcomers ask us most.
- What: a three-day rugby tournament run by American Pro Rugby, played as 10s (ten players a side, two 20-minute halves).
- When and where: Memorial Day Weekend, May 29–31, 2027, in Las Vegas, Nevada, with every session in the evening under floodlights.
- Who plays: Men's Elite, Women's Social and Youth divisions, with five founding Las Vegas franchises plus one mystery invitational team.
- What it costs: $299 per player, including an official team jersey, a full kit bag, at least three pool games, opening-night access and a player profile on americanprorugby.com. Youth play with no entry fee.
- What you can win: $15,000 in total prize money, plus medals and trophies for Youth.
- How to get in: join the player waitlist. Registration details will be shared with the waitlist first.
The APR Games in Plain English
Think of the APR Games as a festival weekend for American rugby with a real competition at its center. Players arrive in Las Vegas, pick up their official kit, and play at least three pool games across the weekend. The best teams in each division reach the finals on Memorial Day itself, Monday, May 31, 2027, when the Youth, Women's Social and Men's Elite champions are crowned one after another in the evening.
It is not a league season that asks you to commit every weekend for six months. It is not a closed event for professional contracts only. And it is not a casual beach tournament either. The APR Games sits in the space between: serious rugby, proper organization, prize money, a crowd and a stage, packed into one weekend that people can actually plan around.
American Pro Rugby is the organization behind it. Our goal is simple to say and hard to do: give American rugby players a big, well-run event that treats them like the main attraction. The APR Games 2027 is the first edition, and we are building it to return every year.
Why the APR Games Exists
The short answer is that American rugby has a lot of players and not many stages. The longer answer starts with the numbers.
Rugby has been growing in the United States for years. USA Rugby has reported that youth and high school registrations passed 50,000 in 2024, a 12 percent rise on the previous year. Club rugby membership grew from 30,611 in the 2022–23 season to 32,119 in 2023–24, and early registrations for 2024–25 ran well ahead of pace after the USA women's sevens team won Olympic bronze in Paris. Overall, USA Rugby counts close to 100,000 registered members, and more than a thousand colleges field teams.
Now look at what sits above all those players. Major League Rugby, the professional league, played its 2026 season with just six teams after several franchises folded or merged. The Chicago Hounds went unbeaten and beat California Legion 35–17 in the final, and the league reported growth in streaming and TV audiences, which is good news. But six professional teams cannot absorb a playing population of this size. For most American players, there is a big gap between club rugby and anything that looks and feels like a professional event.
That gap is where the APR Games lives. We are not trying to replace clubs, colleges or MLR. Club rugby is where players learn the game and build friendships that last decades. What we want to add is a destination: one weekend a year where club players, former college players, women's social sides and young players get a big-event experience, with real prize money, real production and a crowd.
Timing matters too. The United States will host the men's Rugby World Cup in 2031 and the women's tournament in 2033. Rugby sevens is on the program for the LA 2028 Olympic Games at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, with the women's competition starting on July 12, 2028. The USA Eagles men head to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, where they face France, Japan and Samoa in Pool E. American rugby is about to get more attention than it has ever had. We think players deserve more places to play while that attention arrives.
What "Player-First" Actually Means
"Player-first" can sound like a slogan, so here is what it means in practice at the APR Games.
1. You sign up as a player
The $299 entry is per player. You join the waitlist as an individual rather than waiting for someone else to put an entry together. Exact registration steps, squad sizes and eligibility rules will be confirmed with player registration, and the waitlist hears first.
2. Your entry fee comes back to you as kit and playing time
Your $299 covers an official APR Games team jersey, a full kit bag, a minimum of three guaranteed pool games, opening-night access and a player profile on americanprorugby.com. That last item matters more than it sounds: a public profile gives every player a record of having played at the APR Games, something to share with friends, family, coaches and future teammates.
3. The schedule is built around how players feel
Late May in Las Vegas is hot in the afternoon, so every APR Games session is played in the evening under floodlights. Games are 40 minutes long, two 20-minute halves, which keeps the intensity high without asking players to grind through a full-length match several times in one weekend. Recovery, hydration and shade are part of the plan, not an afterthought.
4. The players are the show
Opening night, an exhibition game, a social evening and three finals on Memorial Day are designed to make the players the main attraction. Families, friends and rugby fans come to watch people they know, and the finals are scheduled so that every division gets its own moment in front of the crowd.
| What the $299 player entry includes | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Official APR Games team jersey | You play in a proper kit, not a borrowed pinny |
| Full kit bag | Arrive with what you need for the weekend |
| Minimum 3 guaranteed pool games | You know you will play real minutes, not travel to sit on a bench |
| Opening-night access | Opening ceremony, exhibition game and the social on Saturday, May 29 |
| Player profile on americanprorugby.com | A public record that you played the APR Games |
Who the APR Games Is For
One of the most common messages we get is some version of "Am I good enough?" or "Is this for people like me?" Here is how we think about it.
Club players who want a bigger stage
If you play club rugby on weekends and love it, the APR Games is the event to circle on your calendar. Men's Elite is competitive and carries $10,000 in prize money. It is built for players who train seriously and want to test themselves against strong opposition in a big setting.
Former college and high school players
Thousands of Americans play rugby in college and then stop because life gets busy and there is no obvious next step. A single weekend with a clear date is much easier to commit to than a full season. If you have been meaning to get back on the field, this is a good reason. Our guide on how to start playing rugby as an adult is a useful first read if you have been away for a while.
Women's social sides
The Women's Social division has its own $5,000 prize pool ($3,000, $1,500 and $500) and its own final at 6 PM on Memorial Day. Women's rugby is one of the fastest-moving parts of the American game, and we want it front and center, not squeezed into a side field.
Young players
The Youth division plays age-appropriate formats, competes for medals and trophies, and has no entry fee. The Youth final opens finals night at 4 PM on Monday, May 31, so young players get a real championship moment in front of a crowd.
Fans, families and businesses
You do not need to play to be part of the APR Games. Games are in the evening, which leaves days free for the pool, the Strip or a family day out. Businesses that want to support American rugby can talk to us about partnering through our contact page.
Your spot starts on the waitlist
$299 per player includes your official APR Games team jersey, full kit bag, at least three guaranteed pool games, opening-night access and a player profile on americanprorugby.com. Join the waitlist and you will hear about registration first.
How the Weekend Works
The APR Games runs over three evenings of Memorial Day Weekend. Here is the shape of it, in the order you will experience it:
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Saturday, May 29 | Opening ceremony at 6 PM, exhibition game at 7:30 PM, players' social at 9 PM |
| Sunday, May 30 | Pool games through the evening across all divisions |
| Monday, May 31 (Memorial Day) | Youth final 4 PM, Women's Social final 6 PM, Men's Elite final 8 PM |
If you want to sharpen up before you play, our Coaching Clinic runs alongside the tournament from May 28 to May 31, 2027. Venue details and the full playing rules will be confirmed with player registration. For the full breakdown of divisions and prize money, see the APR Games 2027 guide.
The Teams: Five Founding Franchises and a Mystery Guest
The APR Games is anchored by five founding Las Vegas franchises: the Vegas Kings, Vegas Knights, Vegas Blackjacks, Downtown Rugby and the Vegas Lions. A sixth side, the mystery invitational team, completes the field and will be revealed by APR ahead of the tournament.
Franchises give the event identity. Fans can pick a team, follow it on social media and wear its colors, and players become part of something with a name and a story. You can meet every side on our teams page. Which one are you backing?
Why 10s, Not Sevens or the Full Game?
New fans often ask why we chose 10s. The answer is balance. Sevens is fast and spectacular, but it is a specialist format with tiny squads and a lot of open space. The traditional full-sided game is the heart of rugby, but it is hard to fit several full-length matches into one weekend in a warm climate.
10s sits between the two. With ten players a side, usually five forwards and five backs, you keep scrums, lineouts, rucks and real tactical structure, while opening up enough space for tries and running rugby. Two 20-minute halves make a 40-minute game, which lets us schedule a full evening program and keep every player fresh enough to play again. Men's Elite and Women's Social both use this format, and Youth plays age-appropriate formats. Our explainer, What Is 10s Rugby?, goes deeper on positions and tactics.
Why Las Vegas?
We wrote a whole article on why Las Vegas is the perfect home for pro rugby in America, so here is the short version. Las Vegas is easy to reach from almost anywhere in the country, it has more than 150,000 hotel rooms at every budget, it hosted the USA Sevens from 2010 to 2019, and it knows how to turn a game into an event. Memorial Day Weekend gives everyone a long weekend to travel, play and celebrate.
If you are planning the trip for a squad or a family, our partner Luna Appleton publishes Las Vegas guides on where to stay, eat and go out, which helps a lot when you are booking for a group.
Five Myths About the APR Games
Myth 1: "It's only for professional players."
No. The name says pro rugby because we want a professional standard of event, but the APR Games is designed for American players across levels, from serious club players in Men's Elite to Women's Social sides and young players in Youth.
Myth 2: "It's a sevens tournament."
It is 10s: ten players a side and two 20-minute halves. Expect scrums, lineouts and real forward play.
Myth 3: "It's too hot to play rugby in Las Vegas."
Daytime in late May is hot, which is exactly why every session kicks off in the evening under floodlights. Shorter 40-minute games and planned hydration and recovery are part of the design.
Myth 4: "I have to organize a whole team to enter."
Entry is $299 per player, and you join the waitlist as an individual. Squad sizes and how entries are organized will be confirmed with player registration.
Myth 5: "It's a one-off."
The APR Games 2027 is the first edition of an annual event in Las Vegas over Memorial Day Weekend. The plan is to grow it every year.
How to Get Involved, Step by Step
Whatever your level, there is a way in. Here is the order we suggest:
- Join the waitlist. Go to the APR Games waitlist. It is the fastest way to hear when registration opens.
- Get the newsletter. Sign up to the APR newsletter for schedule news, team reveals and training content.
- Pick your division. Read the division details and decide whether Men's Elite, Women's Social or Youth is right for you.
- Start training now. Seven months is plenty of time to build fitness for 40-minute 10s games. Focus on repeat sprints, contact skills and recovery. Good everyday eating matters too; if you use supplements, our partner Clann13 makes products for athletes, but food, water and sleep come first.
- Consider the Coaching Clinic. The Coaching Clinic runs May 28–31, 2027, for players and coaches who want to learn more while they are in town.
- Gear up and bring friends. Browse APR merch, and if you are looking for team or supporter gifts, Giftabiz is one of our partners.
- Follow along. We post every week on Instagram @americanprorugby and on X @aprprorugby, and you can catch up on everything in our rugby news section.
APR's View: What Success Looks Like
This section is American Pro Rugby's opinion. We will judge the APR Games 2027 on simple things. Did players feel looked after from the moment they arrived? Did every player get real minutes? Did the women's and youth finals feel as big as the men's? Did families and fans leave wanting to come back next Memorial Day?
Longer term, we want the APR Games to become a fixed date in the American rugby calendar, the weekend that club players plan their year around. The country is heading into the biggest rugby decade in its history, with the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 and two Rugby World Cups on home soil in 2031 and 2033. World Rugby has 27 American cities and areas in its host selection process for 2031. That will bring attention to the sport. Attention is useful only if there are places for new and returning players to go. The APR Games is our contribution: one big weekend, every year, built for the players who make American rugby happen.
The APR Games is made possible by our partners. Players and fans can support the businesses that support American rugby:
Our energy partner is WXE. In Too Win backs Las Vegas business, American LED Signage supports signage for clubs and venues, and Vibe Coding supports the tech side of the game. Want to partner with the APR Games? Get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the APR Games?
The APR Games is an annual rugby tournament in Las Vegas run by American Pro Rugby. It features Men's Elite, Women's Social and Youth divisions playing 10s rugby over three evenings, with $15,000 in total prize money. The first edition is May 29–31, 2027.
When and where is the APR Games 2027?
Las Vegas, Nevada, over Memorial Day Weekend, May 29–31, 2027. All sessions are in the evening under floodlights. Venue details will be confirmed with player registration.
Who can play at the APR Games?
The tournament has three divisions: Men's Elite for competitive players, Women's Social, and Youth with age-appropriate formats. Full eligibility rules and squad sizes will be confirmed with player registration.
How much does it cost to play?
Player entry is $299. It includes an official APR Games team jersey, a full kit bag, a minimum of three guaranteed pool games, opening-night access and a player profile on americanprorugby.com. Youth play with no entry fee.
Do I need a team to enter?
Entry is per player, and you join the waitlist as an individual. How squads are organized will be confirmed with player registration, and waitlist members hear first.
What format is the APR Games?
10s rugby: ten players a side, typically five forwards and five backs, playing two 20-minute halves for a 40-minute game. Men's Elite and Women's Social use this format; Youth plays age-appropriate formats.
Is there prize money?
Yes, $15,000 in total. Men's Elite pays $10,000 ($6,000, $3,000 and $1,000) and Women's Social pays $5,000 ($3,000, $1,500 and $500). Youth teams compete for medals and trophies.
Which teams take part?
Five founding Las Vegas franchises, the Vegas Kings, Vegas Knights, Vegas Blackjacks, Downtown Rugby and Vegas Lions, plus one mystery invitational team.
Is the APR Games connected to Major League Rugby or USA Rugby?
The APR Games is run by American Pro Rugby as its own tournament. It is not part of the Major League Rugby season. Any sanctioning or insurance requirements for players will be confirmed with player registration.
How do I sign up?
Join the player waitlist at americanprorugby.com/#register. Registration dates have not been announced yet, and waitlist members will be told first.
Keep Reading
Sources
- USA Rugby: Youth and high school rugby passes 50,000 registrations (2024)
- Scrum Half Connection: USA club rugby membership numbers
- Rugby union in the United States (membership, clubs, college rugby)
- 2026 Major League Rugby season
- World Rugby: 27 cities and areas enter the RWC 2031 applicant phase
- Americas Rugby News: USA Eagles Rugby World Cup 2027 schedule
- Scrum Half Connection: LA 2028 rugby sevens dates and venue
This article replaces our earlier "What Is the APR Games?" post and reflects the current APR Games 2027 format and dates. Statistics come from the sources listed above and are current as of October 2026. Full APR Games rules, squad sizes and venue details will be confirmed with player registration. Sections marked as APR's view are American Pro Rugby's opinion. Follow the APR newsletter for updates.