Rugby Growth in Brazil: Is the Sport Catching On?

Forget everything you assume about sports in Brazil—football may rule, but rugby is quietly sneaking onto the pitch. Just last year, the number of registered players doubled, and more schools are adding rugby to PE classes. Suddenly, “when is the next rugby fixture?” is a real question in a Rio bar.

If you’re new to rugby or wondering if it’s just a passing trend, you’re in the right place. Whether you want to find out about local matches, learn when Brazil’s teams are playing, or even join a touch rugby group, there are now way more options than even five years ago. Streaming sites are picking up games, and community grounds are hosting small tournaments every month—these aren’t just for die-hards anymore.

Brazilians are even making waves in international club rugby, and the women’s game has started to explode. So if you’re itching to try a new sport or want to support something on the rise, rugby is worth your attention right now. Stay tuned for what’s driving this growth and how you can catch a fixture near you.

• Why Rugby Hasn’t Been Big in Brazil (Yet)
• What’s Fueling the Recent Growth?
• Spotlight on Rugby Fixtures and Clubs
• Grassroots and Youth Development
• Women’s Rugby: Surprising Momentum
• How Fans Can Get Involved

Why Rugby Hasn’t Been Big in Brazil (Yet)

Soccer overshadows almost everything in Brazilian sports culture. Stadiums fill up for football matches, and you’ll see jerseys everywhere from tiny towns to big cities. This obsession leaves hardly any room—or airtime—for other team sports like rugby.

Television and the media barely mention rugby unless it’s an Olympic year, even though Brazil’s men’s and women’s teams both competed at Rio 2016. Most networks have stuck to football or volleyball, which pulls kids' attention away from rugby from early on. The lack of media spotlight feeds the cycle: no coverage means fewer sponsors, which means less money for local clubs and grassroots coaches.

There’s also a history thing going on. Rugby first arrived in Brazil in the late 1800s, but the real spread stalled outside expat circles. Schools focused on other sports. Unlike in Argentina, where rugby became a schoolboy staple, most Brazilian kids still barely hear about passes and scrums unless they have a foreign friend or teacher.

Check out this simplified comparison of registered players in South America for 2024:

See the gap? Argentina’s numbers are almost ten times higher.

There’s another barrier: rugby gear and club fees. Unlike kicking a ball around, rugby requires some protective gear and rule coaching. You can’t just pick up and play it on any street corner. Clubs can be pricey, especially for families on a tight budget. Kids often grow up playing football or futsal for free at local parks instead.

Old-school stereotypes about rugby being “a foreign sport” haven’t helped either. But these days, things are starting to change—and more Brazilians are tuning into the game, especially with recent successes and more visible fixtures.

What’s Fueling the Recent Growth?

Brazil’s rugby scene hasn’t just shown up overnight; there are a few things behind this sudden surge. The spotlight really hit in 2016 when Brazil hosted the Olympic Games and rugby sevens made its Olympic debut. The national team pulling off a surprise win against the USA got people talking, and suddenly, kids started trying rugby at local clubs instead of just dreaming about football.

Another big driver? Local TV and streaming platforms now cover top leagues and international matches. That means more people see the game and want to give it a go. In some cities like São Paulo and Porto Alegre, you’ll even find bars that post upcoming rugby fixtures right next to futebol matches. That was unheard of a few years ago.

It’s not just about the top teams. Big brands like Bradesco and Topper have poured money into school and youth programs. These sponsorships bring better gear, coaches from overseas, and more grassroots tournaments. Plus, the Brazilian Rugby Confederation set a clear goal—get a quarter million regular rugby players by 2030—and they’ve actually started tracking numbers and holding more open try-out events.

International stars are also putting Brazil on the map. Players like Lucas Duque and Raquel Kochhann have become local sports names, popping up in ads and YouTube highlight reels. Their presence makes rugby feel way more legit to the average fan. Some clubs, like Jacareí and Pasteur, even host exchange programs so young players can train in Europe for a few weeks, then bring back what they learn.

If you’re thinking this is just hype, check out the spike in Google searches for ‘Brazil rugby fixtures’ over the last two championship seasons. Plus, more women are joining clubs, and rugby is one of the fastest growing sports for girls in major cities. All these pieces together are turning rugby from an underground hobby into a Saturday staple.

Spotlight on Rugby Fixtures and Clubs

If you’re curious about rugby in Brazil, start by checking out the fixture calendar for the Super 12, Brazil’s top league. The Super 12, run by the Confederação Brasileira de Rugby (CBRu), gets more teams and fans every year. São José Rugby and Jacareí are the big dogs, with São José holding the most titles since the league launched. Even the national sevens team plays regular friendlies and regional tournaments, making it easy for anyone to catch a live game or a stream.

Fixtures now happen regularly in cities like São Paulo, Curitiba, and Florianópolis. Even smaller cities are hopping on board with local club matches, thanks to a growing club scene. São José Rugby, Jacareí, Pasteur, and Poli are some of the most active clubs, all hosting matches you can attend. On weekends, club Facebook pages post match schedules, usually with links for live streaming. You can grab a ticket or just show up at the field—entry is often cheap or free. Want to follow the national team or the *Seleção*? CBRu's official site posts all upcoming fixtures, results, and player stats.

Here’s a look at recent club data that shows real action on the ground:

Big clubs aren’t doing this alone. Loads of new community clubs are starting up, especially in cities around the southeast. They play league games, and many field both men’s and women’s teams. If you’re looking for your first local match, keep an eye on the weekend fixture board online or just search for your city’s rugby club socials.

If watching from home is more your style, CBRu regularly streams weekend matches on YouTube and Facebook. These days, tracking rugby fixtures is easier than ever—almost every club updates their schedule weekly on social or their website. Don’t be shy: show up, ask questions, or even talk to the players after. Fans in Brazil love meeting newbies and showing off what makes local rugby special.

Grassroots and Youth Development

If you want to understand why rugby is growing in Brazil, just look at what’s happening with kids and local clubs. Ten years ago, hardly any schools even knew the rules. Now? Over 800 schools are running rugby programs, mostly in São Paulo, Rio, and a handful in the Northeast. This is a huge jump from barely 100 schools back in 2015.

The ‘Rugby nas Escolas’ (Rugby in Schools) project, backed by the Brazilian Rugby Confederation, is a game changer. Coaches show up in PE classes, train teachers on the basics, and hold tournaments. Students are learning tackling, passing, and especially teamwork—coincidentally, a skill Brazilian employers are noticing in kids who play rugby. Some schools have even started competing with each other across city districts.

Community clubs are catching on, too. In 2024, there were more than 180 officially registered rugby clubs—and smaller, unofficial teams keep popping up in places like Brasília and Recife. These local groups are vital for kids who want to stick with the sport outside of school hours. Most clubs welcome beginners and lend equipment like balls and jerseys—pretty rare for Brazilian sports, where gear can get expensive.

Take a look at this comparison of Brazil’s youth rugby landscape over the years:

Want to get a young player started? Here are some quick steps:

• Search the Brazilian Rugby Confederation website for local clubs and youth programs.
• Ask your school’s PE teacher if they run or plan to run rugby lessons.
• Show up at a club’s training session—most are open to anyone and free for the first visit.
• Kids only need a t-shirt, shorts, and trainers for first practices. Gear can come later.

The huge boost in youth interest is creating better players at all levels and driving up the level of local rugby fixtures, especially as kids move up to adult teams. People may joke about rugby being “that sport with the funny ball,” but to thousands of Brazilian kids, it’s quickly becoming just another part of school and weekend life.

Women’s Rugby: Surprising Momentum

If you think rugby is just a guy thing in Brazil, you’re in for a surprise. The women’s scene is one of the fastest-growing out there. Brazil’s national women’s team, known as the Yaras, has been smashing expectations for years. They’ve won the South American Championship almost every year since 2004 and are a regular sight at the Rugby Sevens World Series.

Here’s the eye-opener: according to the Brazilian Rugby Confederation, over 40% of new rugby sign-ups in the country between 2021 and 2024 have been women. That’s one of the highest growth rates for any women’s sport in Brazil right now. School tournaments just for girls are happening every season, and some high schools in São Paulo and Minas Gerais now have enough girls to run full squads.

Why’s the interest booming? Part of it comes from the spotlight on the Olympics. Rugby sevens got huge exposure after the Rio 2016 Olympics, and more young players got inspired watching Brazil’s women give heavyweights like New Zealand a tough match. Another reason: local clubs have made a real effort to be welcoming. Coaches are holding open days just for women and giving first-timers a soft “try rugby” intro instead of running drills like a military camp.

If you want to check out a match, start with a Rugby Sevens fixture where the Yaras play—they often host big games in São Paulo and Curitiba. Or if you want to get involved, lots of clubs like SPAC in São Paulo and Desterro in Florianópolis run all-female training days every month.

• Look for clubs running ‘intro to rugby’ events for women—they’re legit beginner-friendly.
• Follow the Yaras on social media for updates on fixtures and results.
• Many local games are now streamed free on YouTube or Facebook.

Women’s rugby isn’t just happening on the fringe now. It’s taking a front-row spot in Brazil’s rugby story.

How Fans Can Get Involved

Getting into rugby in Brazil is a lot easier than it used to be. You don't need to know all the rules right away, or even own rugby gear to start following along or joining in. Here’s how you can jump in—whether you’re looking to play, watch, or just keep up with the rugby scene.

First, following fixtures and matches is way simpler now. The Confederação Brasileira de Rugby (CBRu) regularly updates their website and Instagram with schedules and results. Streaming matches is also possible—a few games from the Super 12 league and Brazil’s national team fixtures are showing up on YouTube live and local sports channels like BandSports.

• Find local clubs or pick-up games: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Florianópolis have the most active clubs. Look for "Rugby São Paulo" or "Jacareí Rugby" on Google Maps or Facebook—these clubs welcome newcomers and post about open training sessions.
• Try touch rugby: You don’t need experience for touch rugby, and it’s a more casual, non-contact way to get into the sport. Meetup groups and some universities offer sessions on weekends, especially in public parks.
• Sign up for beginner workshops: Each year during Rugby Week, dozens of free intro clinics pop up in major cities. These events are easy to join—just show up in workout clothes and bring a bottle of water.
• Follow Brazilian rugby on social media: Hashtags like #RugbyBrasil or #RugbyFeminino connect you to events, news, and discussions with players.

It’s not all about playing. If you just want to watch, check out this breakdown of top ways Brazilians keep up with fixtures:

If you want to join in as a fan, check out a local fixture—tickets usually cost less than R$30, and you’ll see the action up close. Volunteering is also an option: most tournaments need hands to help with set-up or scorekeeping, and you'll meet a ton of friendly faces just as stoked about the sport as you are.