The USA Club Rugby XVs Championship is an annual competition pitting the best rugby union clubs in the United States. First played in 1979 under the supervision of the United States of America Rugby Union or USA Rugby. This competition for men and women is played in multiple divisions (Division I to III). The event is streamed online annually, typically on YouTube or The Rugby Channel.
From 1958 to 1979, the Monterey/Pebble Beach Classic in Monterey, CA was the de facto National Championship for clubs, colleges and military. Known at its conception in 1959 as the Monterey Rugby Tournament, the title went through several changes: Monterey National Rugby Tournament, 1962; Monterey National Rugby Championships, 1978; Monterey National Invitational Rugby Tournament, 1980; and Pebble Beach Rugby Classic, 1985 to the last tournament in 1990. This is the oldest tournament in North America. It was founded by Paul Andrew and steered through most of its years by Steve Yost. The games were discontinued in 1991 after failure to find a suitable venue.[1]
By 1979, USA Rugby took over the running of the National Club Championship, with College starting in 1980. Club Divisions II (1992) and III (2000) for Men and Division II for Women (2001) being added through the 90's and the turn of the new millennia.