May 2, 2025 - Sports

Chicago women's rugby team's final home game is Saturday

Monica Eng

Female rugby players — Tempest Player Ashley Mencke (left) in a match against the New York Exiles. Photo: Courtesy of Aurora Melissa Paz Castillo

The Tempest, Chicago's first professional women's rugby team, will battle the Bay Breakers Saturday in the last home game of the squad's inaugural season.

Why it matters: The new Women's Elite Rugby league offers a long-awaited professional outlet for female ruggers and an affordable pro sports outing for Chicago spectators.

Driving the news: Many Americans got into the sport after Team USA won its first women's rugby Olympic medal last summer. The 2028 games will certainly be filled with WER players.

State of play: After this Saturday's match, the Tempest (0-5) will play four more on the road.

If you go: The match kicks off at 3pm at Martin Stadium in Evanston.

Tickets start at $20.
If you don't know a ruck from a scrum, check out this video for a quick primer.

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Chicago women's rugby team's final home game is Saturday

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