Anthem Rugby Carolina to Host Fan Fest at Charlotte Rugby Club Ahead of 2026 MLR Season

Charlotte, NC — Anthem Rugby Carolina

On March 14th, Anthem Rugby Carolina (Anthem RC) will host ‘Fan Fest’ at the Charlotte Rugby Football Club, bringing together players, fans, partners, and the local rugby community for a day built around the sport they love. The event takes place at Anthem RC’s official training home as the team prepares for the fast-approaching 2026 Major League Rugby season.

Fan Fest builds on the success of last year’s preseason match against the Chicago Hounds, which also took place at the Charlotte Rugby Club. This time, the focus shifts from competition to connection. While Anthem RC won’t be playing, the entire team will come together to support local rugby and give the Charlotte community its first look at a revamped 2026 roster.

A Day of Local Rugby, Live Introductions, and Community

Fan Fest centers around a full quad-header of live rugby at Charlotte Rugby Club. The day kicks off at 9:00 AM with the Cardinal Girls High School 15s team—a late addition that puts girls’ rugby front and center. The Cardinals are one of the largest youth rugby organizations in the region, and their match will draw families and parents into the day’s festivities early. The schedule continues with Charlotte Rugby Club’s D2 Women at 11:00 AM, D3 Men at 1:00 PM, and D4 Men at 3:00 PM. Hospitality from Anthem RC sponsors Town Brewing and Pizza Baby will keep attendees fed and hydrated throughout. During halftime of the 1:00 PM match, Anthem RC will officially announce its 2026 roster and introduce players to the crowd. Players will also be available all day for meet-and-greets, autographs, and photos.

For season ticket holders, Fan Fest is free and offers a chance to gather together and connect with the team before the season kicks off. It’s also a meaningful opportunity for the players themselves. Roughly 60% of Anthem RC’s 2026 roster is new to Charlotte this year, making this one of the most significant roster overhauls in the league. Fan Fest gives the local rugby community a chance to welcome those new faces to the region’s only professional rugby team—and helps the players get assimilated to the city they’ll call home this season.

Celebrating Local Rugby Before the Season Begins

“We’re thrilled to bring Anthem RC fans and season ticket holders to our new training home at the Charlotte Rugby Club,” said Patrick Stack, Team President of Anthem Rugby Carolina. “This is a best-in-class rugby club filled with tremendous players and advocates for the sport, and our players and staff couldn’t be more excited to celebrate local rugby as we get ready for the MLR season. The event allows us to bring the rugby community together around their shared passion for the sport. It also introduces our players, partners, and sponsors to the community in advance of what we plan to be a big step forward for Anthem Rugby and USA Rugby in 2026.”

A Celebration of Where the Game Comes From

For the Charlotte Rugby Club, hosting Fan Fest alongside a home quad-header carries special significance. Both the women’s and men’s sides are leading their respective divisions this season, and the addition of the Cardinal Girls High School match highlights the depth of the player pathway—from youth rugby all the way to the professional stage. The event shines a spotlight on the grassroots programs that form the foundation of rugby in the Carolinas.

“Charlotte Rugby Club is proud to host Anthem’s Fan Fest alongside a home quad-header featuring our local women’s and men’s sides,” said Brieanna Carlson, Chairman of the Board and Women’s Head Coach at Charlotte Rugby Club. “We’re excited to welcome Anthem fans and season ticket holders into our club environment, where they can meet players, feel the energy, and see just how strong rugby is at the grassroots level. Our teams are leading their divisions, our community is growing, and this event gives fans a place to celebrate rugby locally while supporting Anthem on the MLR stage. It’s a celebration of where the game comes from and where it’s going. This is what building the game together looks like.”

The 2026 Season Is Just Around the Corner

Anthem RC opens its 2026 MLR campaign on March 28 in California before returning to Charlotte for the home opener on April 4 against the Chicago Hounds—the same opponent from last year’s preseason clash at Charlotte Rugby Club. Additional home matches against the Seattle Seawolves on April 12 and Old Glory DC on April 18 follow shortly after.

The Fan Fest gives supporters a head start on it all—a chance to rally behind a team that has invested heavily in new talent and community roots heading into year three. For Anthem RC, it’s about more than building a roster. It’s about building a rugby community.

More details on event timing and additional fan experiences will be announced soon. Stay connected through anthemrc.com and the team’s social media channels for updates.

Anthem RC: https://anthemrc.com

Charlotte Rugby Club: https://charlotterugby.com

Tickets: March 14th Admission Presale | Women D2, Men D3, & Men D4