2027 Boys HS National Championships Dates, Venue Confirmed

08.18.2026HS Boys

Nehemiah Gill Jr. soars in for a try for the Charlotte Tigers. Photo Calder Cahill.

Author: Alex Goff

The Boys HS Rugby National Championships has confirmed that it will return to The Rugby Grounds at the Moose Lodge in Elkhart, Ind., and will once again be held leading into Memorial Day Weekend for 2027.

In 2027 the Memorial Day Weekend is late, in fact it is as late as possible, with Memorial Day being May 31, the last day of the month. So this would see the HS Nationals run from May 27 to May 29. Because of the late date, the Boys HS Rugby National Championships Committee surveyed teams to find out whether a different date would work.

The results show that a significant majority wanted to stay with the Memorial Day Weekend dates, with an additional percentage saying they didn't really have a preference.

Herriman vs La Salette in the 2026 HSNC semifinals. Photo Calder Cahill.

The tournament also returns to Elkhart for the 6th year in a row. While the Committee has entertained applications for different hosting venues, the needs of the tournament keep them coming back to The Rugby Grounds. With four all-grass pitches that are lined for rugby only, and are the right size for high-level rugby games, this venue is exceptionally rare. The quality of the playing surface—beautifully maintained grass and a grass that is durable but soft, providing a sympathetic landing for players during a very challenging tournament—is unmatched.

"When you look at it, yes it's not in a hub city, but once you get there, the hotels are good and they are inexpensive," said David Pool, USA Youth & HS President David Pool, who has also attended the event as a coach. "The food is cheap, it's really easy to get around, and the fields are amazing. But the thing people need to fully understand, is that they have control over the venue."

Referring to HSNC Committee Member Bart Bottorff, who runs the Rugby Grounds venue, Pool acknowledged his massive role in making this tournament work.

SD Mustangs vs Cavemen in the 2026 HSNC. Photo Calder Cahill.

"We have Bart," said Pool. "We know that if it's been raining all week before the tournament, we're playing. And we also know that he's taken care of the fields. To have all of those factors in this venue are why we should be in Elkhart."

The Boys HS Rugby National Championships remains an invitation tournament. While some teams do have to play-in, the limitations of season length, travel planning, and costs mean it's better for the participating teams to know they are going some time in February or March.

Applications normally open up in late December and decisions come out beginning late January. Some teams will be asked to play in a play-in.

Stay tuned on coverage of the HS National Championships here>>

Questions about applications and the process>>

What: Boys HS Rugby National Championships
When: May 27-29. Each team plays one 60-minute game each day
Where: The Rugby Grounds in Elkhart, Ind.
What's Next: Applications open late December or early January