For the first time, the top men’s and women’s rugby teams from around the world converged on Irvine this week for the Rugby Tens Championship.

Held at the Great Park, the tournament kicked off this week and culminates in a playoff on Saturday, Nov. 29. Olympians and World Cup stars, along with rising talents, are competing in a mixed play format: Men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ teams compete under a franchise umbrella, with the winning franchise taking home a trophy at the end of the weekend.

Participating franchises include the Balkans Honey Badgers, Cape Town Wild Dogs and the Serengeti Elephants — as well as the San Clemente Rhinos, which trains and recruits players closer to where this year’s Rugby Tens Championship is held.

The tournament was held last year at the San Juan Capistrano Riding Park. Prior to that, it was held in South Africa and Portugal.

More information, including about Saturday’s event, can be found at www.rugbytens.com.

  • San Clemente Rhinos players sandwhich their opponent on the Honey...
    San Clemente Rhinos players sandwhich their opponent on the Honey Badgers team during the Rugby Tens Championship games at the Great Park in Irvine on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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San Clemente Rhinos players sandwhich their opponent on the Honey Badgers team during the Rugby Tens Championship games at the Great Park in Irvine on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Dan Arritt contributed to this report.