Pacific Coast Rugby League (PCRL) Announces Exciting Lineup for 2024 California Championship

Pacific Coast Rugby League (PCRL) proudly unveils the much-anticipated lineup for the 2024 PCRL California Championship. It is an exciting draw, with nearly 40 games of rugby league played across men’s and women’s competitions.

The men’s season will see an expansion to 3 Northern California teams, and the addition of a new affiliate team in the South. The Razorbacks and the Immortals will join the national champions the Dead Pelicans, the Barracudas, the Bandidos, and the Mongrel in a 6 team conference battling for the PCRL Championship. Each team will play the teams in their region both home and away, and will play the 3 other teams once - one home, one away, and one at a neutral venue. To start the men’s season, the 6 teams will travel to San Luis Obispo to play 3 games on June 1.

Also entering the PCRL in 2024 are the West LA Jackrabbits. The Jackrabbits will play a minimum of 4 games in 2024 as affiliate members - traveling to face the Dead Pelicans in the north as well as competing for the SoCal Challenge bragging rights against the Cudas, Mongrel, and Bandidos. Applications remain open for other affiliate clubs in 2024.

The women will compete in the western half of the first ever national championship. With the Mongrel and Barracudas in SoCal, and the Razorbacks and Dead Pelicans in NorCal, each team will play the other team in their region home and away, will host one of the others, and travel to the fourth for a total of 4 regular season games.

The post-season will see the top of the PCRL conferences travel to Utah to take on the URLA champions, and the winner of those games will play in the National Championship game to be hosted here in California on August 24.

And finally, representative jerseys will be up for grabs in 2024. On July 20, NorCal v SoCal returns for the women in Los Angeles; and on August 31 in Northern California we will have both the men and women battling it out in two NorCal v SoCal games.

The 2024 PCRL California Championship will feature seven men's teams and four women's teams, showcasing the diversity and depth of talent within the rugby community. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, each team brings its own unique flair and determination to claim the coveted title.

“We are thrilled to announce the lineup for the 2024 PCRL California Championship," said Ben C Calverley, Secretary of PCRL. "This year’s competition promises to be fiercer than ever, with returning National Champions the Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans on the men’s side no longer having the run of Northern California. Bringing the Razorbacks and the Immortals in to the competition brings a whole new dimension to the season. On the women’s front, having the first ever four team conference in the history of US women’s rugby league is phenomenal, and hopefully we see one of our teams bringing the inaugural USARL national championship back to the Golden State. We invite fans from across the state to join us in celebrating the growth of rugby league and cheering on their favorite teams.”

As rugby league continues to gain popularity and recognition across the country, events like the PCRL California Championship serve as a testament to the sport’s growing appeal. In addition to showcasing the best of PCRL talent, the representative games provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and talent, with opportunities for international recognition.

The 2024 PCRL California Championship promises to be a thrilling showcase of athleticism, sportsmanship, and passion for the game. Rugby enthusiasts and newcomers alike are encouraged to mark their calendars and witness the excitement firsthand. More exciting news regarding the Utah season is expected in the coming days, along with the announcement of the overall schedule of a unified nationwide USARL domestic competition for the very first time.

For more information about the 2024 PCRL California Championship, including schedule updates and ticket information, visit pacificcoastrl.com.