The world of sports expanded in 1823, when, during a football game, William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it. Rugby was born on that fateful day in Warwickshire, England, and the sport has become extremely popular in most countries, except the United States.

Rugby only has about 55 million fans and 3,100 clubs in the United States according to World Rugby. These may seem like large numbers, but the truth is, 55 million people is only about 15% of Americans. For reference, wrestling is America’s tenth most popular sport, according to AEON, with 89.9 million fans of the WWE alone, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

This unique, 200-year-old sport from England can offer Americans endless hours of entertainment along with friendships forged by a love for the game. But before rugby can grow in America, it is important to know the basics of it. 

So, how is rugby played? 

In rugby, the ball cannot be thrown forward. It may be carried forward, kicked, or passed backwards. These rules make for intense plays and careful calculations amid chaos.\

Rugby 7s is played by two teams of seven players, over 14 minutes, which are split into two, seven-minute halves. This typically makes for more hectic games due to a smaller team and less time. Rugby 15s is played by two teams of fifteen players over 80 minutes, which are split into two 40-minute halves. 

Rugby 7s was played at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the United States women’s rugby team brought home a bronze medal. This win put a much needed spotlight on the sport and Team USA’s players. 

 In a world so divided, sports allow us to put aside our differences and cheer for our favorite teams. In the United States, rugby is a relatively new sport that can both entertain and unite Americans. Clearly, rugby has well-performing, established players and clubs in the USA. All that is missing is fans to fill the stands.