USA Rugby CEO Bill Gorne announced today that USA Rugby's dues will increase.
With some big events on US soil on the horizon, starting with the PNC test matches and extending to the 2028 Olympics and 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups, Goren said the organization needs to put more effort into spreading the love of the game.
And while pre-World Cup funds are expected from World Rugby, there's more to do domestically.
"We believe in the opportunity that lies ahead," said Goren in a statement released today, "and we know it will take a unified effort across the entire community to meet the moment. Growth at this scale will challenge us all to work together to ensure we provide the safest and most rewarding environment possible for every athlete, coach, and official who takes the field."
Tthe USA Rugby Board of Directors, with advice from community leaders, has approved an increase of annual player dues across the three community councils for the upcoming 2025-26 membership season. USA Rugby dues for Youth & High School players will raise to $30, exclusive of insurance. USA Rugby dues for Collegiate players raises to $49, and it's $50 for Senior Club players, both inclusive of insurance.
These due increases are only reflective of Player membership registration; Coach, Match Official, Medical and Admin/Volunteer dues remain unchanged.
Goren explained the increases as follows: "From the outset, I have been committed to ensuring that any increase in dues would be directly reinvested into the grassroots game. These additional resources will allow us to make tangible, visible improvements that support long-term growth. Moving forward, as a result of the dues increase, you’ll see a stronger focus on the development of community coaches, the growth, support, and retention of referees, along with the broader marketing and storytelling of the community game.
The same level of commitment is needed for our referees and match officials. We've spent time listening to referees and referee societies across the country, and the message has been equally strong—we must invest more in the officials who make the grassroots game possible. While we've built a strong pathway for those pursuing national and international opportunities, we must also elevate our focus on the referees who take the pitch each weekend in local communities.
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Our priorities include improving training and continuing education, fostering stronger communication, and supporting long-term retention. These community referees are the foundation of our sport, and they deserve our full investment and support.
We all know rugby is a special game—one that builds character, teamwork, and leadership in ways few sports can. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that our community is made up of incredible people at every level who give their time, energy, and expertise to help others grow. That story deserves to be told.
As we move forward together, we will place a renewed emphasis on elevating the voice of the community game. We’ll work closely with each council to support and strengthen marketing efforts, grow our presence and engagement on social media, and share the stories of those who are building rugby in neighborhoods across the country. We want to connect with those who have never played rugby before and help them see the value of this game and the experiences waiting for them when they take the pitch.
