Midwest Thunderbirds

05/29/2026

🏉 IT’S HERE. GAME DAY HAS ARRIVED. 🏉

The wait is over — the 2026 Midwest Thunderbird Cup kicks off TODAY at the Chicago Blaze Rugby Facility in Lemont, Illinois!

The Midwest’s premier weekend of high-performance rugby is officially underway as the next generation of talent and top senior players battle for championship glory.

🔥 Today’s action features the U23 Semifinals as teams fight for a place in tomorrow’s championship matches.
🔥 Saturday brings a massive full day of rugby with more than a dozen matches across U23 championship play and Senior Club Semifinals.
🔥 Sunday closes out the weekend with all Senior Championship matches and the crowning of this year’s Thunderbird Cup champions.

Whether you’re making the trip out to Lemont to catch the action in person or tuning in from home, this is a weekend you do not want to miss.

📍 Chicago Blaze Rugby Facility — Lemont, IL
🎥 Matches streamed live by Next Level Rugby on the Midwest Rugby Union YouTube Channel
📅 Full field and broadcast schedules available on socials

The Midwest’s best are ready.
The stage is set.
Thunderbird Cup weekend starts NOW. ⚡🏆

05/27/2026

As we head into the 2026 Midwest Thunderbird Cup, here’s a reminder of the official LAU Team Power Rankings that were released following last year’s tournament results.

These rankings reflected the performances and results from the 2025 Thunderbird Cup — but the question now is: how much will they change after this year’s competition?

Every team entering the 2026 event has an opportunity to rise, defend their position, or completely shake up the standings. With rivalries growing and the level of play continuing to improve across the Midwest, expect movement throughout the rankings once this year’s tournament concludes.

We’re also excited to announce that following the 2026 event, the Midwest Rugby Union will introduce its first-ever U23 Power Rankings to recognize the emerging talent pipeline throughout the territory.

The rankings were set last year.
Now it’s time to see who changes them.

05/24/2026

🚨 Midwest Rugby Union – Coaching Applications Now Open 🚨

The Midwest Rugby Union is now soliciting applications for Men’s and Women’s Coaching Staff for the Midwest Thunderbirds Programs.

The Midwest Thunderbirds are a high-performance 15s representative program featuring selected top players from across the Midwest Territorial Union. Players are identified through the annual Thunderbird Cup held each May.

Coaching staff will lead and support the Men’s and Women’s select sides in fixtures scheduled throughout the winter and spring against other premier union select sides and representative programs.

We are seeking qualified, committed coaches and are looking to fill these roles immediately.

📄 Apply here: https://forms.gle/2NBXfxYrSqkGq2X39

05/23/2026

Just 1 week to go until the @2026 Midwest Thunderbird Cup! 🏉⚡

The Midwest’s premier high-performance rugby event is almost here as top talent from across the Union heads to the Chicago Blaze Rugby Facility for an incredible weekend of competition.

Can’t make it in person? Most matches will be streamed LIVE by Next Level Rugby on the Midwest Rugby Union YouTube Channel so fans across the country can follow the action.

Stay tuned all week for:

📅 Match schedules
📍 Event information
🔥 Team announcements
📺 Streaming details
🏉 More Thunderbird Cup coverage

04/25/2026

Game Day.

The Midwest Thunderbirds are set to take on the Premiership Champion today at 3:30 PM CT.

This group has put in the work—now it’s time to compete. Proud to represent the Midwest and ready for the challenge.

Check out today’s roster ⬇️

01/02/2026

📣 SAVE THE DATE! 📣

🏒 2026 Midwest Thunderbird Cup 🏒
📅 May 30–31, 2026
📍 Chicago, IL

The Midwest Thunderbird Cup is more than a tournament—it’s a celebration of Local Area Union pride and the official pathway for player selection to the Midwest Thunderbirds.
Get ready for a weekend of elite competition, camaraderie, and Thunderbird tradition. 🔥

👉 Stay tuned for updates, including potential competition expansions, evening events, and more exciting details to come.

Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss this! 💪⚡

12/06/2025

Tough result today for the Midwest Thunderbirds, falling 44–27 in the Cup Semifinal to a strong Capital Rugby Union Selects side.

The Thunderbirds will regroup and be back in action tomorrow in the Cup Consolation match at 10:45 AM CT, facing the loser of Texas Rugby Union vs. USAR South.

Proud of the fight today — let’s finish strong tomorrow. 🦅💪

12/06/2025

Here's the link for tomorrow's Cup Semifinal between the Midwest Thunderbirds and Capital Rugby Union Selects. Catch the match live at 11:00 AM ET/ 10:00 AM CT!

2025 Mary Graham Allstars

12/05/2025

🚨 MIDWEST THUNDERBIRDS — SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

The Midwest Rugby Union is fired up to announce the 23 women selected to represent the Union as the 2025 MIDWEST THUNDERBIRDS at the 10th Anniversary Mary Graham All-Star Tournament! 🔥🦅

These athletes have earned their place through hard work, toughness, and a commitment to the game that defines what it means to wear the Thunderbird jersey. Now it's time to take the national stage.

📍 Tournament Location:
Grand Prairie Mountain Creek Soccer Complex — Grand Prairie, TX

📆 Competition Weekend:
Saturday, Dec 6 – Sunday, Dec 7, 2025

🏆 MATCH 1 — CUP SEMIFINAL
Midwest Thunderbirds vs. Capital Rugby Union
⏰ 10:00 AM CT — Saturday

A loss sends the TBirds to Sunday at 10:45 AM CT to face the loser of Texas Rugby Union vs. USA Rugby South. Win again, and it's on to the Cup Final at 2:15 PM CT to claim the crown for the fourth consecutive year!

📺 WATCH LIVE:
All matches streamed on the Texas Rugby Union YouTube channel — tune in and show your support from wherever you are!

Get loud, get proud, and back these incredible women as they represent the Midwest with grit, skill, and Thunderbird pride. 🦅💛💚

Let’s fly. Let’s dominate. Let’s bring the Cup back home.

08/27/2025

Get ready, rugby fans! The 2025 Mary Graham All Stars is back for its 10th anniversary. Join us in Grand Prairie, TX on December 6-7 to see the best of women's rugby.

We've got an epic Cup bracket with 3-time champs Midwest going for a four-peat, facing off against the Texas Toast, USA South Panthers, and the newly promoted Capital. In the Plate bracket, longtime partners Mid-America are back, and we're excited to welcome newcomers from Eastern Penn (EPRU), Carolinas (CRGU), and the Southeast Reapers (U24 side)!

Will the Midwest make history, or will a new champion be crowned? Matches will be live-streamed on the TRU YouTube channel, so you won't miss a single moment!

More: https://texasrugbyunion.com/2025/08/24/game-on-the-10th-annual-mary-graham-all-stars-kicks-off-in-grand-prairie/