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Some rugby programs that compete in USA Rugby-sanctioned competition are beginning to eliminate their women’s teams to create teams in the “open” gender division. These changes follow a new USA Rugby policy to allow only biological females to participate in women’s competitions.
The Charlotte Royals and Mother Ruckers each released statements declaring their support for the “open” category, encouraging other teams to also move 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 U.S. administration that prohibits trans women from playing in the women’s divisions,” the Roylas said in a statement. “USA Rugby has changed its eligibility policy based on these laws. USA Rugby introduced the Open Division, a division separate from the women’s and men’s divisions, allowing clubs and unions to permit matches in which all genders can participate. For context, USA Rugby is the governing body for all rugby played in the United States.
“The Charlotte Royals believe that trans women are women. Banning trans players harms everyone in the sport and the community as a whole. We will use the open division for all sanctioned games we participate in and encourage other clubs/unions to do the same.
“Trans women were pioneers of the American LGBTQIA+ liberation movement at Stonewall, particularly Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. We will continue to include our trans brothers and sisters in our organization and community, without hesitation.”
USA Rugby announced Friday 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 before 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 President that of Donald Trump “Keep Men Out of Women’s Sports” Executive Order and nearly seven months after the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s (USOPC) new requirement that all governing bodies comply.
A general view of the USA Rugby goal line flag before the match between Team USA 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: the men’s division, the women’s division and the open division. The open division will allow any athlete, regardless of their assigned sex at birth and gender identity, to participate in USA Rugby sanctioned events, whether 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 before 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 executive order “Keep Men Out of Women’s Sports.”
USA Rugby’s “open” category is now a proof of concept for other programs aimed at circumventing Trump’s executive order, keeping trans athletes competing against women while leaving women with no women-only options.
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