Can-Am Rugby Tournament Details

Considered one of the largest and best-run rugby events in the world, the Can-Am Tournament was created in 1973 by the Mountaineers Rugby Club and is proud to be celebrating its 51st year. The inaugural event was an eight-team affair that quickly doubled and has since mushroomed into a mid-summer tradition with 110+ teams converging on the Adirondacks.

The mission of the Can-Am Rugby Tournament is to give back to the community that affords us the ability to host an amazing 3-day rugby tournament. The Tournament has created yearly scholarships at each of our local high schools and colleges – Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Lake Placid High Schools, North Country Community College, and Paul Smith’s College. The scholarships are awarded based on financial need, community service, character, and involvement in athletics.

In addition to the scholarships awarded each year, the tournament supports our local youth sports teams financially. We provide financial support to Pee Wee Hockey, the high school football program, little league, youth basketball, and baseball, high school rugby, and the Saranac Lake Summer Youth program to name a few.

Tournament Dates

A tournament of this magnitude requires many fields and access to lodging and in order to have access to the required number of fields we work closely with the Village of Saranac Lake, Saranac Lake Central School District, the Village of Lake Placid, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and North Elba Recreation Department.

Summer is a busy time in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.
The tournament dates are set through 2028. This arrangement guarantees us access to all necessary fields, lodging and eliminates any problems.

  • 2025: July 25-27
  • 2026: July 31 – Aug 2
  • 2027: July 30 – Aug 1
  • 2028: July 28-30

Saranac Lake is Proud to Host Can-Am Rugby

At 51 years old, the Saranac Lake Can-Am Rugby tournament has become part of our history and tradition. Woven into our summers is the largest 15’s rugby tournament in North America. This event provides athletes, families, and spectators a once-in-a-lifetime experience to “live” rugby for 3 full days…right here in our beloved village.

In a social media-driven world where human connection often happens virtually, it is so refreshing to see so many gather for athletics, friendly reunions, and competition!

It has been amazing to watch the evolution of the weekend over the years. We’ve seen wild, crazy, hard-nosed Ruggers become mothers and fathers (still hard-nosed) who pass their love of the game onto the next generation by coaching, playing in different age brackets, and competing together side-by-side. This tournament has truly become a family event.

Saranac Lake offers its warmest welcome to all Ruggers, Family Members, Friends, Spectators, and Volunteers!! Without you, none of this is possible. Here’s to the next 50 years!!!

Yours in the Mountains,
Jimmy Williams
Mayor

The Can-Am committee is excited to bring you the 51st edition of Can-Am Rugby in Saranac Lake & Lake Placid. NY.

We look forward to having a great rugby weekend and returning you to the Adirondacks!