San Diego Surfers Heading to 2026 USA Club Rugby 7s Nationals
- Editor
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Following their 15's run as top 4 in D1 and a successful 7s season, the San Diego Surfers Rugby Club is headed back again to the biggest stage in US club sevens.
If you'd like to support the team, please consider making a donation!
After an undefeated Southern California qualifying campaign, the Surfers have officially punched their ticket to the USA Club Rugby 7s National Championships, earning their place by winning all three SoCal qualifying tournaments:
🏆 Sunsplash 7s Champions
🏆 Surf N Turf 7s Champions
🏆 Santa Monica 7s Champions
With momentum on their side and a roster that blends experienced veterans with exciting new talent, the Surfers are preparing to once again to compete among the nation's elite.
A New Generation Built on Championship Tradition
This year's squad represents the next chapter of one of the most successful women's club sevens programs in the United States.
Returning veterans will provide leadership and experience while an exciting group of newcomers from both UC San Diego and San Diego State University bring speed, athleticism, and fresh energy to the squad.
Together, they embody what the Surfers have always stood for—developing athletes, competing at the highest level, and building a culture that produces champions.
Guiding this year's campaign is Tia Blythe, who returns as Head Coach.
Blythe knows exactly what it takes to win a national championship with the Surfers. As a former USA Eagle and Surfers standout, she helped build the championship legacy that continues to inspire today's players. Her leadership, combined with her experience at the international level, provides invaluable guidance as the team prepares for Nationals.
The Surfers' coaching lineage is among the most accomplished in American rugby.
Previous Surfers coaching staffs have included:
Emilie Bydwell, current USA Women's Sevens Head Coach
Richie Walker, former USA Women's Sevens Head Coach and current Fiji Women's Sevens Head Coach
That legacy of elite coaching continues to shape the culture and standards of the San Diego Surfers program today.
San Diego Surfers 7s Program Records & Milestones
The San Diego Surfers have long been recognized as one of the premier women's sevens clubs in the country.
The club captured USA Club Rugby 7s National Championships in:
🥇 2012
🥇 2014
🥇 2018
🥇 2019
Across the history of the tournament, the Surfers have established themselves as one of the most decorated clubs ever to compete.
All-Time USA Club Rugby 7s Milestones
4 National Cup Championships (tied for the most in tournament history)
5 Cup Final appearances
8 Overall National Medals
🥇 4 Gold
🥈 1 Silver
🥉 3 Bronze
61 Match Victories (the most all-time)
3 Consecutive National Championship Final appearances
These accomplishments represent decades of commitment from players, coaches, volunteers, alumni, and supporters who have built one of the country's most respected rugby programs.
Tournament Schedule
The San Diego Surfers will begin their National Championship campaign with three pool matches on Saturday, August 8, with every game playing a critical role in earning a spot in the Cup Championship bracket.
Saturday, August 8 — Pool Play
Time (CST) | Match | Field |
8:40 AM (6:40 AM PST) | San Diego Surfers vs. ORSU | Field 2 |
11:40 AM (9:40 AM PST) | San Diego Surfers vs. Colorado Gray Wolves | Field 2 |
2:40 PM (12:40 PM PST) | San Diego Surfers vs. Chicago Lions | Field 1 |
Sunday, August 9 — Knockout Rounds
Following pool play, teams will be seeded into Sunday's knockout rounds. Follow @sdsurfersrugby on Instagram for the updated schedule.
Potential Cup Championship Schedule (if qualified):
Time (CST) | Match |
9:00–10:00 AM (7:00 - 9:00 AM PST) | Cup Quarterfinals |
12:40–1:00 PM (10:40 - 11:00 AM PST) | Cup Semifinals |
4:40 PM (2:40 PM PST) | USA Club Rugby 7s National Championship Final |
Additional Bowl, Plate, and Shield matches will also be played throughout the day based on Saturday's results.
Can't make it to Nationals? Follow the San Diego Surfers on social media and USA Club Rugby Youtube Live Stream for the full matches throughout the weekend and for live score updates, match highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and tournament results as the team competes for another national title.
Watch the Surfers Live
Can't make it to Nationals? You can still cheer on the Surfers from anywhere.
📺 Watch every San Diego Surfers match live on the official USA Club Rugby YouTube channel:
The USA Club Rugby YouTube channel will stream matches throughout the tournament, making it easy for family, friends, alumni, and Surfers supporters across the country to follow every moment of the team's National Championship run. Livestreams are typically posted on the channel leading up to kickoff.
Don't forget to follow the San Diego Surfers Rugby Club on social media throughout the weekend for live score updates, behind-the-scenes content, player highlights, and tournament results as we chase another USA Club Rugby 7s National Championship.
Help Send the Surfers to Nationals
Competing at the national level requires significant travel expenses, and as a nonprofit club, every contribution directly supports our athletes.
Your donation helps cover:
Hotel accommodations
Rental vehicles
Airfare and travel expenses
Team meals and recovery nutrition
Team dinner before competition
Tournament logistics and equipment
Every donation—large or small—helps ensure our athletes can focus on competing at their best while proudly representing San Diego on the national stage.
If you'd like to support the team, please consider making a donation!
Thank you to our families, alumni, sponsors, volunteers, and rugby community for standing behind the Surfers every step of the way.
We'll see you at Nationals. Ride the Wave!
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