2025 USARL season
| 2025 USARL season | |
|---|---|
| League | USA Rugby League |
| Duration | May 31st - August 9th, 2025 |
| Premiership winners | Brooklyn Kings RLFC (2nd title) |
| Biggest home win | Jacksonville Axemen 102–0 Miami Shoremen |
The 2025 USA Rugby League season was the 28th season overall of amateur and semi-professional rugby league competition in the United States and the 13th season under the governance of the USARL.
League notes
Postseason controversy and league contraction
After the end of the 2024 postseason, the Utah Rugby League Association (URLA) had pulled out from USARL play due to difference between the regional body and the national body surrounding eligibility to play in the national championship. The 2024 national final ended with RLU champion DC Cavalry being crowned national champion after the USARL deemed that the Utah champion Provo Broncos were ineligible to play in the final.[1][2] The URLA will operate independently until there is an agreement between the two parties.
In the Spring of 2025 the USARL made a change in voting parity for clubs and changes to the registration policy for clubs. This happened without the knowledge of participating clubs in the West. Also, a change in voting parity led to the Pacific Coast Rugby League (PCRL) pulling away from competition for the 2025 season.[3] It is unknown if the PCRL will return in 2026.
Club changes
Miami Shoremen were introduced as new member of the Florida Rugby League. The club is run by former member South Florida Speed as they retry their hand at rugby league.
Former national champion clubs, Boston Bears and Atlanta Rhinos chose to not participate in the 2025 season. Both clubs may return in 2026.
Format
Due to the temporary contraction of the competition, the format reverts to the pre-expansion method, in which both divisions will play its opponents twice. After the round robin, the top two of each division will playoff for their divisional championship. The winners of the divisional finals will meet for the National Championship at the highest ranked divisional champion.
Participating clubs
| Northeast Rugby League | |||||
| Colors | Club | Founded | City (MSA) | Stadium | National Titles
(Last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Kings RLFC | 2006 | Brooklyn | McCarren Park | 1 (2019) | |
| DC Cavalry | 2021 | Washington Metro | Central Sports Complex | 0 (N/A) | |
| Delaware Black Foxes | 2018 | Wilmington, Delaware | Eden Park | 0 (N/A) | |
| Florida Rugby League | |||||
| Colors | Club | Founded | City (MSA) | Stadium | National Titles
(Last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Axemen | 2006 | Jacksonville, FL | North Rugby Fields at UNF | 3 (2022) | |
| Miami Shoremen | 2025 | Miami, FL | Lester Brown Park
Ives Estate Park |
0 (N/A) | |
| Southwest Florida Copperheads | 2018 | Naples, FL | Estero Sports Park | 0 (N/A) | |
| Tampa Mayhem | 2014 | Tampa, FL | Leto High School | 1 (2021) | |
Regular season
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (EST) | Venue | Report | ||||
| Tampa Mayhem | 82–0 | Miami Shoremen | May 31st - 6:30pm | Leto High School | [4] | |
| Southwest Florida Copperheads | 12–32 | Jacksonville Axemen | May 31st - 6:45pm | Estero Sports Park | [5] | |
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (EST) | Venue | Report | ||||
| DC Cavalry | 70–16 | Delaware Black Foxes | June 7th - 10:30am | Central Sports Complex | [6] | |
| Southwest Florida Copperheads | 30–32 | Tampa Mayhem | June 7th - 6:45pm | Estero Sports Park | [7] | |
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (EST) | Venue | Report | ||||
| DC Cavalry | 58–18 | Brooklyn Kings RLFC | June 14th - 10:30am | Central Sports Complex | [8] | |
| Jacksonville Axemen | 102–0 | Miami Shoremen | June 14th - 7:00pm | North Rugby Fields at UNF | [9] | |
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (EST) | Venue | Report | ||||
| Delaware Black Foxes | 18–44 | Brooklyn Kings RLFC | June 21st - 5:00pm | Eden Park | [10] | |
| Miami Shoremen | 4–82 | Southwest Florida Copperheads | June 21st - 5:30pm | Lester Brown Park | [11] | |
| Tampa Mayhem | 46–16 | Jacksonville Axemen | June 21st - 6:30pm | Leto High School | [12] | |
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (EST) | Venue | Report | ||||
| Brooklyn Kings RLFC | 56–20 | Delaware Black Foxes | June 28th - 12:00pm | McCarren Park | [13] | |
| Jacksonville Axemen | 52–20 | Southwest Florida Copperheads | June 28th - 6:30pm | North Rugby Fields at UNF | [14][15] | |
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (EST) | Venue | Report | ||||
| Brooklyn Kings RLFC | 58–28 | DC Cavalry | July 12th - 1:00pm | McCarren Park | [16] | |
| Miami Shoremen | 4–100 | Jacksonville Axemen | July 12th - 5:30pm | Ives Estate Park | [17] | |
| Tampa Mayhem | 56–6 | Southwest Florida Copperheads | July 12th - 6:30pm | Leto High School | [18] | |
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (EST) | Venue | Report | ||||
| Delaware Black Foxes | 6–94 | DC Cavalry | July 19th - 4:00pm | Eden Park | [19] | |
| Southwest Florida Copperheads | 80–14 | Miami Shoremen | July 19th - 6:45pm | Estero Sports Park | [20] | |
| Jacksonville Axemen | 32–22 | Tampa Mayhem | July 19th - 7:00pm | North Rugby Fields at UNF | [21] | |
Standings
| Legend |
|---|
| Advance to Divisional Finals |
| Northeast Rugby League Standings | |||||||||
| # | Team | P | W | T | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DC Cavalry | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 250 | 98 | +152 | 6 |
| 2 | Brooklyn Kings RLFC | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 176 | 124 | +52 | 6 |
| 3 | Delaware Black Foxes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 60 | 264 | -234 | 0 |
| Florida Rugby League Standings | |||||||||
| # | Team | P | W | T | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Axemen | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 334 | 94 | +240 | 10 |
| 2 | Tampa Mayhem | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 274 | 86 | +188 | 10 |
| 3 | Southwest Florida Copperheads | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 230 | 86 | +144 | 4 |
| 4 | Miami Shoremen | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 444 | -422 | 0 |
National playoffs
Divisional Championships
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (EST) | Venue | Report | ||||
| DC Cavalry | 30–36 | Brooklyn Kings RLFC | July 26th - 6:30pm | Eden Park | [22] | |
| Jacksonville Axemen | 30–14 | Tampa Mayhem | July 26th - 7:00pm | North Rugby Fields at UNF | [23] | |
2025 USA Rugby League National Championship Game
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (EST) | Venue | Report | ||||
| Jacksonville Axemen | 18–34 | Brooklyn Kings RLFC | August 9th - 7:00pm | North Rugby Fields at UNF | [24][25][26][27][28][29] | |
References
- ^ "The US Association of Rugby League (USARL) wishes to inform its members and the Rugby League community". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "USARL Official Statement Regarding the Men's National Championship". www.usarl.org. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Press Release in response to @rugbyleagueusa governance changes". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "The Mayhem opened up the season with a big win at home over Miami". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Jacksonville Axemen-Southwest Florida Copperheads. Final score, 32-12". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "DC Cavalry 70 – Delaware Black Foxes 16". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Big win on the road for the Mayhem". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "DC Cavalry 58 – Brooklyn Kings 18 A clash of titans on the field". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ Jacksonville Axemen (2025-06-15). Jacksonville Axemen vs Miami Shoremen - June 14, 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-17 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Brooklyn vs Delaware Final". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "🚨 Big Win Alert! 🚨". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Mayhem move to 3-0 on the season getting the win at home over the Axemen". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Brooklyn 56-20 Delaware". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Another win for the Axemen yesterday over the SWFL Copperheads. Final score was 52-20". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "It was a courageous showing from our Copperheads men this weekend as they traveled to Jacksonville..." www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Huge win against the reigning national champions here in Brooklyn today". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Another win for the Axemen today over Miami!". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Mayhem remain undefeated picking up their 5th win of the season against the Copperheads". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ Mac May (2025-07-20). DC Cavalry at DE Blackfoxes. Retrieved 2025-09-17 – via YouTube.
- ^ "We wrapped up the season with a solid win over the Miami Shoremen..." www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "The Axemen finish out the regular season with a win! 🔥🪓". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "👑 KINGS ARE OFF TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 👑". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Your @radificu Jacksonville Axemen defeated the Tampa Mayhem 30-14 and are the SOUTH CHAMPIONS! 🏆🏆🏆". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Kings and Axemen Set for Championship Showdown in 2025 USARL Grand Final". www.usarl.org. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "National Championship Match Officials Appointed". www.usarl.org. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Axemen & Kings Confirm Teams". www.usarl.org. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Brooklyn Kings Crowned 2025 USARL National Champions". www.usarl.org. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "It was a tough 34-18 loss for the Axemen tonight. Congrats to the Brooklyn Kings on winning the USA Rugby League National Championship". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "USARL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. 🏆". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.