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Some rugby programs competing in competitions sanctioned by USA Rugby are beginning to eliminate their women’s teams to start teams under the “open” gender division. The changes come in response to a new policy by USA Rugby to only allow biological women to compete in the women’s competition.
The Charlotte Royals and Mother Ruckers are each broadcasting their support for the “open” category and are encouraging other teams to also switch from a women’s team to an “open” team.
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“On 2/27/2026, a law was put into effect by the current US administration that prohibits trans women from playing in women’s divisions,” Roylas said in a statement. “USA Rugby has made changes to its eligibility policy based on these laws. USA Rugby has introduced the Open Division, a division separate from the women’s and men’s divisions, for clubs and unions that can sanction matches for all genders to participate in. For context, USA Rugby is the governing body for all rugby played in the United States.
“Charlotte Royals believe trans women are women. Banning trans players hurts everyone in the sport and the larger community. We will use the Open Division for all sanctioned matches we participate in and encourage other clubs/unions to do the same.
“Trans women pioneered the American LGBTQIA+ Liberation movement during Stonewall, especially Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. We will continue to include our trans siblings in our organization and community without hesitation.”
USA Rugby announced Friday that it would introduce a new “open” gender division to accommodate trans athletes.
Gabriella Cantorna, Ilona Maher and Emily Henrich of the United States react as they sing their national anthems ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool A match between the United States and Samoa at York Community Stadium on September 6, 2025 in York, England. (Molly Darlington – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
The new rule came more than a year after the president Donald Trump’s The “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” order and nearly seven months after the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s (USOPC) new requirement that all governing bodies comply with it.
A general view of the USA Rugby goal line flag before the match between Team United States and Team Scotland at Audi Field on July 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images for Scottish Rugby)
“USA Rugby will now have three categories of competition; Men’s Division, Women’s Division and Open Division. The Open Division will allow any athlete, regardless of gender assigned at birth and gender identity, to compete in USA Rugby-sanctioned events, whether full contact or non-contact,” the organization said in a statement.
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Gabriella Cantorna, Ilona Maher and Emily Henrich of the United States react as they sing their national anthems ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool A match between the United States and Samoa at York Community Stadium on September 6, 2025 in York, England. (Molly Darlington – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
In July, the USOPC updated its Athlete Safety Policy to indicate compliance with Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order.
USA Rugby’s “open” category is now a proof of concept for other programs to circumvent Trump’s executive order, to keep trans athletes competing against women while women have no women-only option.
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