LIT7s USA Returns to Florida for 2nd Year

09.24.2026Elite 7s

Action from the 2025 LIT7s USA. Photo LIT7s.

Author: GRR Staff

Bradenton, Fla. — An international field of leading rugby sevens teams will descend on Florida this Thanksgiving weekend for the 2026 LIT Florida International Sevens, taking place on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton, Florida.

Now entering its second year, the LIT Florida International Sevens will bring together teams from across the United States and overseas for a full day of elite, open, social and youth rugby sevens.

Among the headline international entries are two of European invitational sevens’ leading programs: Monaco Impis Men’s Elite and Monaco Umusa Women’s Elite. Umusa will arrive in Florida as the reigning Emirates Dubai 7s International Open Women’s champions, while the Impis have established themselves as a leading presence on the international invitational sevens circuit.

They will be joined by a strong American contingent, including NOVA, currently ranked No. 2 nationally, alongside established sevens programs including Gorilla Rugby, St. Thomas University (STU), Apex 7s, Boston Selects, BlitzBirds, Safari Selects, Alliance Wolves and LIT Sevens.

Both Elite competitions will also feature the return of the teams that contested last year’s finals. Gorilla Rugby, winners of the inaugural Men’s Elite competition in 2025, return to defend their title alongside finalists St. Thomas University (STU). On the women’s side, defending champions LIT USA Sevens return alongside 2025 finalists Chicago North Shore.

Meanwhile, Alliance Wolves, winners of the inaugural Men’s Open competition, return in 2026 to make the step up into the Men’s Elite division.

The growing strength of the field reflects LIT7s’ ambition to establish the Florida International Sevens as an annual meeting point between the American and international rugby sevens communities.

Monaco Brings International Pedigree to Florida

The participation of Monaco Impis and Monaco Umusa represents one of the biggest international additions to the 2026 tournament.

The Monaco Impis have established themselves as a major presence on the international invitational sevens circuit, competing at prestigious tournaments across Europe and internationally. Their record includes winning the International Open at the Emirates Dubai 7s in 2023, while more recently competing in Dubai’s International Invitation Men’s competition.

They will be joined by Monaco Umusa, who arrive as the reigning Emirates Dubai 7s International Open Women’s champions, having captured the title in November 2025.

Importantly, neither Monaco team is new to LIT7s. Both competed within the 2026 LIT Super Sevens Series, including at LIT7s London in July, before now making the journey across the Atlantic to compete in Florida.

Their participation illustrates the international pathway LIT7s is developing between its European and U.S. operations.

“What makes LIT7s different is that we already have these relationships with leading international teams through the LIT Super Sevens Series," said LIT7s CEO Ellaine Gelman. “We host the largest rugby sevens series in Europe, so when we talk about bringing European and Asian teams to the United States, we aren't starting from scratch. These are teams that already know LIT7s, have competed at our events and understand the standard and experience we provide.

Fastest player competition at 2025 LIT7s. — Perry Baker checks out the talent at the fastest player competition at the 2025 LIT7s.

Monaco is just one expample; the Impis and Umusa teams both competed in the UK LIT7s tournament this year.

“At the same time, the strength of the American field is growing significantly," said Gelman. "We have our defending champions Gorilla Rugby, returning finalists STU, NOVA, Alliance Wolves stepping up after winning the Open competition last year, and established programs including Apex, Boston Selects, BlitzBirds, Safari Selects and LIT Sevens.

“It puts us in a unique position to create a genuine bridge between the American and international sevens communities. We can bring international opposition to U.S. teams while also creating opportunities for American teams to travel in the other direction and compete within our European series."

More Than Just the Rugby

The LIT Florida International Sevens is designed as a full rugby festival rather than simply a day of matches.
The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch provides a major-event setting, featuring extensive all-grass playing facilities and a stadium capable of accommodating thousands of spectators.

The tournament experience will include livestream coverage with professional commentary, professional photography, extensive social media coverage, food and drink vendors, entertainment and the Fastest Player of the Tournament Race.

The tournament includes Men’s and Women’s Elite, Open and Social divisions; U18 Boys and Girls; and U16 Boys and Girls subject to sufficient entries.