NRPL to Unveil Full Week 1 Schedule on December 15, 2025 — Rivalries, Stadium Lights, and the Dawn of a New Era in American Rugby

History has a launch date.On January 2, 2026, the NRPL will officially release the full Week 1 schedule for its long-awaited inaugural season — a milestone that signals the transformation of American rugby from niche fandom to national entertainment.

The NRPL, featuring 32 city-based pro franchises, will kick off its debut season in February 2026. But fans won't have to wait long to see how the first chapter begins — and already, whispers across the league hint at four blockbuster openers that could set the tone for decades of rivalries.

A rugby ball resting on a green grass field, ready for play.

Early Headlines: Four Massive Matchups Rumored for Week 1

While the full schedule remains under wraps until the 15th, anticipation is building for these tentpole showdowns:

Baltimore Warhawks at Philadelphia Rebels

📍 Franklin Field — Philadelphia, PA

Mid-Atlantic grudge match out the gate. Baltimore brings its blue-collar toughness to one of the loudest, hardest-hitting sports cities in the country. Rebels Nation is ready, and Philly athletes never back down from a fight — especially with thousands of home fans behind them.

Cleveland Rampage at Miami Riptide

📍 Chase Stadium — Miami, FL

Cold-weather brutality meets tropical speed. Cleveland’s power-forward style collides with Miami’s fast-break rugby offense under the South Florida lights. Expect highlight-reel runs — and big hits.

Los Angeles Rush at San Francisco Guardians

📍 Levi’s Stadium — Santa Clara, CA

Hollywood swagger vs. Bay Area precision. Two huge West Coast markets, two proud franchises claiming early superiority. From branding battles to cross-state regional pride — this one feels like the beginning of a legendary rivalry.

Boston Brigade at New York Empire

📍 MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, NJ

One of America’s oldest sports rivalries gets a new chapter — but this time on the rugby pitch. Boston fans travel deep, New York fans get loud, and the stakes are as high as the skyline.

The Start of Something Bigger

These aren’t just games — these are identity-defining moments.

Every opening whistle sends a message:

• “This is our league now.”

• “This is our city’s team.”

• “We belong on the biggest stage in American sports.”

As one NRPL team executive put it:

“You never forget your first game. Week 1 isn’t just a beginning — it’s the birth of 32

dynasties.”

The strategy behind these matchups is purposeful. Regional conflicts build passion. Major stadiums build legitimacy. And national broadcast positioning builds momentum.

The NRPL wants fans to feel something day one — pride, rivalry, electricity.

Tickets, Broadcast Details & Fan Events Incoming

Once the Week 1 slate goes live on December 15:

• Stadium seating maps will be published

• Tickets are expected to sell fast in major markets

• Broadcast times for primetime streaming and national distribution will be announced

• Fan festivals + pre-game events will be detailed for multiple cities(including youth rugby games, live music, meet-and-greets, and more)

This rollout kicks off a massive marketing push into 2026 as teams finalize rosters, training camps intensify, and franchise identities crystalize.

A Coast-to-Coast Sports Movement

From the Northeast to the Pacific Northwest…From the Gulf Coast to the Midwest…

The NRPL is not dipping a toe into American pro sports —it’s diving in headfirst.

This league stands for:

• New opportunities for elite athletes

• New entertainment for fans hungry for more action

• New heroes representing the cities they love

And the world will watch them rise.

“December 15 — The Day the Sports Landscape Shifts”

League officials expect massive digital traffic the moment schedules drop.

“When fans see where their team opens,” said a league spokesperson,“the countdown becomes real — because they can circle the date and say ‘I’m there.’”

The Countdown

We are less than weeks away from knowing who steps onto the pitch first,who faces the pressure of an inaugural home game,and who tries to crush dreams on enemy turf.

December 15, 2025.Block your calendar.Refresh your feed.Prepare for liftoff.

The future of American rugby arrives in Week 1 —and it starts with the National Rugby Premier League.