Men's rugby has announced its 2026–27 schedule, a slate that combines championship-level competition, growing Midwest rivalries, international rugby, and a continued commitment to developing the game at home and throughout the region.
 
The Lions will once again face some of the nation's strongest programs, continuing established rivalries with perennial Top 10 opponents Life University and the University of Arizona. Lindenwood will meet Arizona at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado, on November 7 before welcoming Life to Hunter Stadium on the weekend of March 5, details to be determined.
 
The 2026–27 season also marks a significant addition to conference play as Ohio State joins the Midwest Conference, immediately creating a home-and-away series between the Lions and Buckeyes. Lindenwood will travel to Columbus, Ohio on October 10 before Ohio State makes the return trip to St. Charles, Missouri on February 20.
 
"We want a schedule that challenges every part of our program," said Lindenwood Head Coach Josh Macy. "That means continuing to play teams with national championship aspirations, building meaningful conference rivalries and creating opportunities for every player in our program to compete and develop. Just as importantly, we want to use our program and our campus to help grow rugby around us."
 
That commitment to growth will be especially visible on September 26, when Lindenwood welcomes the Mexico national sevens program to St. Charles for a national team assembly.
 
Mexico will utilize the Lindenwood campus and its performance resources for testing, training, and development support during its stay, with the assembly culminating in four, sevens matches against the Lions throughout the day. Multiple Lindenwood sides will take the field, giving players across the program an opportunity to compete against international opposition while bringing a unique national-team rugby event to campus.
 
"Hosting a national team is a tremendous opportunity," Macy said. "Mexico will be able to take advantage of the resources we have here for training and testing, and our players get the experience of competing against international athletes. Those are the kinds of relationships and experiences we want to continue creating at Lindenwood."
 
The schedule also includes opportunities to work with and compete against emerging programs throughout the region. Lindenwood will meet Indiana, Principia and Marian in friendly competition during the year, providing valuable developmental matches while strengthening connections among growing college rugby programs in the Midwest.
That regional emphasis extends beyond the college game.
 
On Saturday, February 13, Lindenwood will host its signature Jump Start Clinic, bringing aspiring players to St. Charles for instruction, development and exposure to the collegiate rugby environment. The annual event has become an important part of Lindenwood rugby's efforts to invest in young players and strengthen the pathway between local and regional rugby and the university game.
 
Just three weeks later, the Lions will host their annual High School Invitational during the weekend of March 5. High school programs will descend on campus for competition alongside Lindenwood matches with Life University, creating a weekend that connects youth, high school, and elite collegiate rugby in one environment.
 
"Those weekends are an important part of who we want to be," Macy said. "Our responsibility isn't limited to developing the players already wearing a Lindenwood jersey. We want young players from St. Charles, St. Louis and across the region to have access to great coaching, meaningful competition and a clear picture of where rugby can take them."
 
On the field, the fall begins with home competition against Iowa Central before trips to Southern Nazarene and Ohio State. In addition to the Mexico sevens assembly, Lindenwood will face Marian in Indianapolis, Indiana before closing the fall with a demanding stretch against Davenport, Arizona, McKendree, and Arkansas State.
 
The spring brings another deep slate to St. Charles. Indiana and Ohio State visit on February 20, followed by a road contest at Arkansas State on February 27. The High School Invitational and Life matches highlight the March 5 weekend, with McKendree and Davenport also coming to St. Charles later in March.
 
Lindenwood will then turn toward the postseason, with the national championship rounds scheduled throughout April and the championship final set for May 1. The Lions sevens program will also target National Sevens at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis on April 24.
 
The combination of elite opponents, expanded conference competition, developmental matches, international rugby, and youth programming reflects a broader vision for the coming season: compete nationally while continuing to build the game locally.