Women’s rugby is experiencing a boom in popularity across the United States. This increase in fandom was on full display on Friday, May 2 as USA Rugby took on Canada in Kansas City in front of 10,518 fans. The showing set a new attendance record for a women’s rugby match in the U.S., smashing the previous record by over 8,000. Canada won the match 26-14.
Part of this popularity comes from Ilona Maher’s online success. Playing for the USA Rugby 7s team in the Olympics, Maher amassed a social media following of nearly five million on Instagram, inspiring new fans everywhere.
“It was just so energetic,” said Lauren Koehler, a fan in attendance from Wichita, Kansas. “The crowd was amazing. You can’t take your eyes off of the field.”
Maher has been cited as an inspiration to many young women due to her advocacy for body positivity and the advancement of women’s sports.
This was best displayed at the Olympics, where various body types were shown by athletes competing at the highest level of their sport.
“She understands who she is and what she wants to promote. And obviously this sport is really amazing…these women are so strong, they’re not using pads like all those idiots in the NFL,” said Kaitlyn Peter, another fan from Wichita.
This has led to opportunities with Dancing with the Stars, Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition and various other opportunities. Her publicity helped jumpstart a new widespread interest in the sport, seen in the record-high attendance number.
“That’s what my goal has always been, to get people out to play rugby. I’ve kind of found out it’s not just [to] play rugby, it’s to watch rugby. You don’t have to be [a] rugby player to come watch it. And for our sport to grow, we need fans in the stands,” Maher said. “One thing about my fans is [it is] a lot of women. It’s a lot of girls, but they’re willing to support and they’re willing to spend their money on things that mean something. And they want the growth…I’m so proud that I’ve been kind of the catalyst of it.”
The game took place at CPKC Stadium, the first ever facility built for women’s professional sports. The stadium hosts the KC Current in the NWSL, ranking No. 6 in the league in attendance at 11,500 fans. Every game during the 2024 season was ruled a sellout.
“To see 10,000 people come out to see a sport that they probably have no idea what’s happening on the field is so tremendous,” Maher said. “And I hope to play here again. I think that stadium is perfect, and it was electric in there. I feel like the fans were on you. We loved that.”
After Canada took a 14-0 lead, the U.S. converted back-to-back tries plus conversions to tie the game. Captain Kate Zackary scored the first try for the home team during the 38th minute by spiking the ball into the end zone with both hands. Zackary is a Midwest native, having grown up in nearby Wichita, Kansas. Alev Kelter scored the second American try in the 66th minute.
Both tries were followed by conversions from McKenzie Hawkins, who kicked the ball through the uprights for two points. Hawkins is no stranger to Missouri, playing her collegiate career on the east side of the state at Lindenwood University. As a Lion, she won four national championships; two in 15s and two in 7s.
The Canadians warded off the U.S. with two more tries to seal the victory. USA Rugby kicks off its Pacific Four Series with a road match at Australia on Saturday, May 17.
Edited by Killian Wright | kwright@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Chase Pray and Emma Short | cpray@themaneater.com eshort@themaneater.com
Edited by Alex Gribb | agribb@themaneater.com
