WER Hosting Legacy Cup as Women's Pro League Looks to 2025
WER Hosting Legacy Cup as Women's Pro League Looks to 2025
The new Women’s Elite Rugby league will be backing its first event with the Women's Premier League Legacy Cup in September.
The WER is a new professional league that has already announced teams in New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, Twin Cities, Boston, Chicago, and Denver. The actual league will kick off in March 2025, leaving an elite-level women's schedule of the WPL in the fall and the wER in the spring.
“We are thrilled to take world-class women’s rugby to the next level across the United States and delighted by the welcoming of our six generous host cities,” said WER President Jessica Hammond-Graf. “Each chosen market has a unique, storied history with the sport of rugby and we’re proud to continue building upon that legacy and expanding opportunities for the future generations of athletes.”
All-time USA caps leader Jamie Burke has been appointed as the league’s Director of Rugby. In Burke’s new position, she will be responsible for providing leadership, direction and delivery of WER’s on-field product. The Director of Rugby will establish the culture and standards of the coaching and player personnel in the WER, with the aim of becoming the top domestic women’s rugby competition in the world.
"We are at an incredible inflection point in both the women's sports space and women's rugby, specifically. I am thrilled about the vision of Women's Elite Rugby and getting the opportunity to be a crucial pillar of an organization that is driving the future of women's rugby in the United States,” Burke said. “We have the opportunity to define a unique brand of WER rugby that is dynamic, exciting and allows our athletes to showcase their skills, athleticism, and creativity for both the American rugby fan and the sports fans across the globe."
The Legacy Cup signals a cooperation with the WPL and will take place in early September, with the semifinals among the top WPL teams being held Saturday, Sept. 7 at Madison United Rugby Club in Cottage Grove, Wisc.
The Legacy Cup Final will be held on Saturday, September 14 at MacPherson Stadium at Bryan Park in Greensboro, North Carolina between the winners of the two semi-final games. The championship game will take place at 2PM ET.
“The Legacy Cup is an event for all rugby fans new and old. We welcome everyone to come out, have fun and enjoy some intense competition,” said WER Vice President Katherine Aversano. “There are many new eyes on rugby after the U.S. women's team won bronze at the Paris Olympics and we are thrilled the world has now seen that the women who play this game are inspiring, intense and tough. We are excited for people to fall in love with our athletes just as they did with our Olympians.”
Fans can buy tickets to both Legacy Cup Semi-Finals and Legacy Cup Final at www.womenseliterugby.us/tickets. Ticket prices start at $15 for general admission.
Legacy Cup Semifinals - Saturday, Sept. 7
Madison United Rugby Club, Cottage Grove, Wisc.
1PM CT Game 1: Seed #2 vs Seed #3
3PM CT Semi Game 2: Seed #1 vs Seed #4
Ticket price: $15 General Admission (Bleacher Seating) and $25 VIP (Access To Balcony Overlooking Field; 35 Ft Reserved Section Of Clubhouse Bar)
Fan activities to include a Kids Rugby Clinic
Tickets Here
Legacy Cup Final - Saturday, Sept. 14
MacPherson Stadium at Bryan Park, Greensboro, NC
12PM ET Fan Fest Opens
2PM ET Championship
Ticket price: $15 General Admission (End Sections (22m-Try Line) Of Bleachers, Pavilion (Orange)), $20 Premium L2 (10m lines) and $25 for Premium L1 (halfway)
Fan activities to include a Meet-and-Greet with USA National Team athletes