Big Ten Conference Announces 2025 Schedule

DUBLIN, OH – The Big Ten Universities Rugby Conference has officially released its 2025 Fall Schedule, promising another thrilling season of collegiate rugby.

Following a dramatic 2024 campaign that culminated in Ohio State University edging out the University of Notre Dame in a nail-biting Championship Final, the 2025 season is set to build on that momentum with intense divisional matchups and a revamped championship format.

This year’s competition will once again be divided into East and West Divisions, each featuring four powerhouse programs:

• East Division: Michigan State University, Ohio State University, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame

• West Division: Indiana University, Purdue University, University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin

Conference play kicks off earlier than ever before with a high-stakes opener between Notre Dame and Michigan on August 29. Fans can also look forward to several marquee clashes throughout the season, including:

• Ohio State at Michigan – A fierce rivalry with playoff implications

• Indiana at Wisconsin – A battle of physicality and grit

• Purdue at Illinois – A matchup of rising contenders in the West

The regular season will culminate in the Big Ten Universities Rugby Championship Series, beginning November 1, 2025. The top two teams from each division will advance to the Cup Championship bracket, where:

• The East #1 seed will host the West #2 seed

• The West #1 seed will host the East #2 seed

Meanwhile, the remaining teams will compete in the Bowl Championship bracket, with:

• The East #3 seed hosting the West #4 seed

• The West #3 seed hosting the East #4 seed

Winners from each semifinal will advance to the Big Ten Championship Final, scheduled for the weekend of November 8, 2025, hosted at the University of Notre Dame.

In preparation for conference play, Big Ten clubs will also take on elite programs from Division 1 and Division 1AA, continuing to raise the standard of collegiate rugby and providing valuable experience ahead of the postseason.

About the Big Ten Universities Rugby Conference

Established in 2012, the Big Ten Universities Rugby Conference showcases top-tier collegiate rugby talent from some of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions. Member clubs include Indiana University, Purdue University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame, and University of Wisconsin.

For the latest updates, visit www.BigTenRugby.com and follow @BigTenRugby on Facebook and Instagram.