The 2023 Saratoga Cup and Women’s Saratoga Cup takes place in Cranbrook this August 26-27 weekend, where six teams will battle it out across two competitions to be declared provincial champions of BC Rugby’s summer leagues – get down to the College of the Rockies for a fantastic weekend of Rugby!
Defending Men’s champions Rocky Mountain Rogues are joined by Elk Valley RFC, Vernon Jackals RFC, and Terrace Northmen RFC – who will lift the Men’s Saratoga Cup this year?
The Women’s competition sees Elk Valley RFC and the Rocky Mountain Rogues face-off in a thrilling five-match series, with the first team to notch three victories being declared champions.
The purpose of the Saratoga Cup is to foster the growth of competitive Rugby throughout the Interior and Northern regions of British Columbia and provide a final event for the Summer League Competition.
BC Rugby acknowledges that the 2023 Saratoga Cup will take place on the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa people, which is also home to the Kinbasket people.
Learn more about the Saratoga Cup by clicking on the topics below or visiting this page:
VENUE & PARKING
Heading to watch Saratoga Cup Rugby this weekend?
The 2023 Saratoga Cup is taking place at:
- Rocky Mountain Rogues – College of The Rockies, 2700 College Way, Cranbrook, BC V1C 5L7
Parking is available at the venue, and teams can park in the parking lot.
TEAMS, SCHEDULE & LIVESTREAM
The 2023 Saratoga Cup features four Men’s teams competing for the Saratoga Cup, and two Women’s teams competing for the Women’s Saratoga Cup.
MEN’S MATCHES
Following a competitive summer season, Men’s teams will compete their respective semi-finals on the Saturday, with the winners advancing to Sunday’s final. Semi-Final loses will contest the third-place playoff on Sunday.
The teams competing the Men’s Saratoga Cup are:
- Rocky Mountain Rogues (Defending champions)
- Elk Valley Bulls
- Terrace Northmen
- Vernon Jackals RFC
Semi-Final 1: Vernon Jackals RFC vs. Elk Valley Bulls
Vernon Jackals RFC topped the Okanagan League with three victories and one tie from four matches, following a tough tussle with the Penticton Harlequins for the No. 1 spot. The Elk Valley Bulls, meanwhile, head to the Saratoga Cup as joint hosts alongside the Rogues and finished the season with two defeats to their rivals in the Kootenay Cup.
Semi-Final 2: Rocky Mountain Rogues vs. Terrace Northmen RFC
This year’s hosts, the Rocky Mountain Rogues, will be vying for a hat-trick of Saratoga Cup championships after lifting the trophy in 2021 and 2022. The Rogues won both of their Kootenay Cup matches against the Elk Valley Bulls, and will go into this year’s Championship full of confidence to achieve a third straight title.
Terrace Northmen RFC enjoyed an unbeaten season to secure a place at the 2023 Saratoga Cup, with five wins from five matches, seeing off the challenge from Williams Lake Rustlers, Prince George Gnats and the Prince Rupert Seamen RFC.
WOMENS MATCHES
While four teams were originally scheduled to compete for the 2023 Women’s Saratoga Cup, Terrace RFC and defending champions Kamloops RFC have unfortunately withdrawn from the competition.
The two teams that will contest the 2023 Women’s Saratoga Cup are:
- Elk Valley RFC
- Rocky Mountain Rogues RFC
The two teams will play a Best-Of-5 Series, with the first team to claim three wins being declared 2023 Champions.
Rugby in the Rockies is enjoying a significant rise, thanks to the tremendous efforts of both these Clubs. Rucking in the Rockies was a major highlight, with Men’s Rugby, Women’s Rugby and Junior Rugby sessions all taking place during a fantastic event.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
The weekend schedule is as follows:
Saturday August 26 Schedule
11:00am – Saratoga Women’s 7s Game 1: Elk Valley RFC vs Rocky Mountain Rogues RFC
11:30am – Saratoga Cup Semi-Final 1 – Winner Okanagan Rugby Union (Vernon Jackals RFC) vs Runner Up Kootenay Cup (Elk Valley Bulls)
1:00pm – Saratoga Women’s 7s Game 2: Elk Valley RFC vs Rocky Mountain Rogues RFC
1:30pm – Saratoga Cup Semi-Final 2 – Winner Kootenay Cup (Rocky Mountain Rogues) vs Winner Central Interior Rugby Union (Terrace Northmen)
3:00pm – Saratoga Women’s 7s Game 3: Elk Valley RFC vs Rocky Mountain Rogues RFC
Sunday August 27 Schedule
LIVESTREAM
All games will be live-streamed and available on the VEO app where possible. Download the VEO App on Apple Store or Google Play
- Create free VEO Live Account
- Search “BC Rugby” and follow the profile
- Select which stream you wish to watch
Matches will be recorded and posted on the BC Rugby YouTube the following week. In the event that livestreaming is not available, we will record the matches and post on YouTube the following week.
CONCESSIONS & MERCHANDISE
CONCESSIONS
The Rocky Mountain Rogues will have food onsite and a Beer Garden with food and drinks to be purchased both Saturday and Sunday
There is a planned function on the Saturday night as well at the Curling Rink.
Please ensure that we keep the park clean and tidy by placing all garbage and bottles in the appropriate bins.
MERCHANDISE
BC Rugby’s Official Merchandise Partner, The Rugby Shop, will be on site selling BC Rugby and Club merchandise throughout the weekend.
BC Rugby
A: 2015 Main Street, Vancouver, BC | V5T 0J8
T: 604.737.3065
E: info@bcrugby.com
BC Rugby gratefully acknowledges that its offices reside on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
