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 52nd 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 2027. This arrangement guarantees us access to all necessary fields, lodging and eliminates any problems.

2027: July 30 – Aug 01, 2027

Saranac Lake is Proud to Host Can-Am Rugby

On behalf of our entire community, I am thrilled to welcome you to the annual Can-Am Rugby Tournament.

For more than half a century, Can-Am Rugby has been one of the defining traditions of summer in the Adirondacks. What started as a local tournament has grown into the largest rugby tournament in North America, bringing thousands of players, families, officials, volunteers, and fans from around the world to Saranac Lake.

For one incredible weekend, our village becomes your village.

This tournament is about much more than what happens on the pitch. It’s about lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, fierce competition, and a community that opens its doors to welcome visitors from near and far. Every year, Can-Am reminds us of the power of sports to bring people together.

We are incredibly proud to host this remarkable event. The dedication of the Mountaineers Rugby Football Club, the Can-Am Board of Directors, sponsors, volunteers, officials, and countless community partners has created something truly special. Their commitment has built a tradition that not only celebrates the game of rugby but also strengthens our local businesses, supports our economy, and showcases everything that makes Saranac Lake such a decidedly different place.

While you’re here, I encourage you to explore our downtown, enjoy our restaurants and shops, paddle our lakes, hike our mountains, and experience the hospitality that defines our community. Whether this is your first visit or your fiftieth, we hope you’ll leave with great memories and a reason to return.

To every player, coach, referee, volunteer, family member, and fan – thank you for being here. Thank you for making Saranac Lake part of this incredible tradition.

Play hard. Cheer loudly. Make new friends. Reconnect with old ones. Most of all, enjoy everything that makes Can-Am Rugby and Saranac Lake so special.

Kelly Brunette
Mayor – Saranac Lake, New York

The Can-Am committee is excited to bring you the 52nd 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!

50th Annual Can-Am Rugby Recap

October 29, 2024

This summer’s event was the largest and one of the most successful events we have ever hosted, The Can-Am Rugby Tournament is no longer just a rugby tournament, it has transformed into a major Tri-Lakes Community Event. This summer we hosted 120 teams averaging 22.5 players per team from 30 states and four Canadian provinces.