The USA Rugby women's 15s shattered the sport's US attendance record on Friday, welcoming 10,518 fans to Kansas City's CPKC Stadium for the Eagles' matchup against Canada.

Though the world No. 9 ranked US fell short in their come-from-behind push, falling 26-14 to No. 2 Canada in the opening game of the 2025 Pacific Four Series, Friday's crowd gave the players a massive off-field victory.

"To see the crowd be over 10,500 like that was absolutely fantastic in this women's purposely built stadium, and to debut rugby here in that stadium as well," said USA captain Kate Zackary after the game.

Even Canada's athletes lauded the significance of the record-setting crowd, despite the overwhelmingly US cheers from the home fans.

"Being here in North America and having 10,000 people coming to watch women's sports was so amazing," remarked Canada's Sarah-Maude Lachance.

USA rugby star Ilona Maher carries the ball during a game against Canada.
Stars like Ilona Maher are helping grow rugby in the US. (Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Rugby's rise spurs exponential growth

After the Eagles secured Olympic bronze in rugby sevens last summer, the sport gained significant momentum.

The national attention captured by 2024 Olympians like superstar Ilona Maher earned USA Rugby a multimillion-dollar investment, helped fuel a new domestic league, and minted fresh fans en route to Friday's attendance record.

In the long-term, that growth could turn the US-hosted 2033 Rugby World Cup into a marquee national event.

For the rugby faithful, however, the biggest win is seeing those new to the sport become lifelong fans.

"Everyone I talked to after [Friday's] game who didn't know what rugby was, [I hope] has fallen in love with it," said Zachary.

How to attend the next USA Rugby game

The Eagles will take aim at breaking Friday's attendance record in Washington, DC, on July 19th, when they'll face No. 16 Fiji in a send-off game before August's 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.

Tickets to the Audi Field doubleheader, which also includes the US men's side against England, are available online now.

Two top-flight USA Rugby teams are hitting the turf this weekend, as the Eagles Sevens lands in LA for the 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship while the Eagles 15s continue their friendly series in Kansas City.

Over 7,500 fans snapped up tickets to catch superstar Ilona Maher and the rest of USA Rugby's world No. 9 ranked 15s squad take on No. 2 Canada at Kansas City's CPKC Stadium on Friday, less than a week after suffering a narrow loss to No. 11 Japan in LA last Saturday.

This Saturday, however, is all about the No. 6-ranked Eagles Sevens squad, as the US team joins seven other elite rugby nations hunting a 2025 world title in LA.

Saturday's slate of pool play games will see Team USA facing off against No. 2 Australia, No. 3 France, and No. 7 Fiji, with No. 1 New Zealand, No. 4 Canada, No. 5 Japan, and No. 8 Great Britain also battling for one of four spots in Sunday's semifinals.

Sammy Sullivan of Team USA rugby celebrates during a game at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Sammy Sullivan and five other Eagles Sevens players this weekend won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

USA Rugby drops 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship roster

After finalizing the lineup, USA Rugby revealed its 12-player Eagles Sevens roster on Wednesday, naming six Olympians and six new faces to the 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship team.

Leading the US this weekend is captain Kristi Kirshe and vice captain Kayla Canett, with the 2024 Olympians joined by four other teammates from the bronze medal-winning squad in Paris — Ariana Ramsey, Alena Olsen, Sarah Levy, and Sammy Sullivan.

After suffering a knee injury in the team's last tour in Hong Kong, star Alex "Spiff" Sedrick — who scored the game-winning try in last summer's bronze-medal game — will miss this weekend's World Championship.

In her stead, fresh faces like national team debutant Ashley Cowdrey earned a nod, joining a US roster with six athletes who've played no more than six HSBC SVNS events.

One of those six new stars is Nia Toliver, who caps her breakout sevens season as one of the 2025 HSBC SVNS Rookie of the Year and Try of the Year nominees.

Rounding out the team are Jess Lu, Autumn LoCicero, Su Adegoke, and Tessa Hann.

How to watch USA Rugby this weekend

The Eagles 15s will contend with Canada at 8:30 PM ET on Friday, before the Eagles Sevens kick off their 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship run against France at 2:28 PM ET.

All matches throughout the weekend will be available to stream live via RugbyPass TV.