WESTWOOD, Calif. — UCLA Men's Rugby returns to action this Saturday, October 10, welcoming Brown University to the UCLA IM Rugby Fields for the inaugural FirstPoint USA Scholars Cup. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. PT.
Saturday will mark the first-ever meeting between UCLA and Brown, bringing together two globally recognized universities and ambitious rugby programs for the opening round of a new competition that celebrates the unique combination of academic excellence and collegiate rugby.
A New Chapter for College Rugby
The Scholars Cup represents an exciting new chapter for college rugby, with FirstPoint USA serving as the competition's inaugural title sponsor. The initiative is believed to be the first of its kind to bring a major title sponsor together with a select group of institutions with globally recognized academic reputations, investing directly in the future of college rugby and creating a unique platform for student-athletes to compete at some of the world's leading universities.
For the Bruins, the opportunity is particularly meaningful.
UCLA enters the weekend with enormous excitement surrounding the occasion and what it represents for the players, the program and the wider Bruin community. To compete against another world-renowned university in a competition specifically created around the intersection of academic and sporting excellence is a unique opportunity for the current UCLA squad.
Bruins Building on Michigan Victory
On the field, the Bruins will be looking to build on an unforgettable finish against Michigan two weeks ago, when UCLA rallied late to secure a thrilling 33–30 victory in its first-ever NCR competition match against the Wolverines.
The dramatic victory provided plenty of belief, while also giving the Bruins a clear understanding of the areas that needed improvement.
A bye weekend provided valuable time to address those areas. Several key players have been able to recover from early-season knocks and return to full health, while the coaching staff has used the additional training time to fine-tune important details ahead of Saturday's challenge.
Brown Arrives in Westwood with Momentum
The Bruins know they will need to be significantly sharper against a confident Brown side arriving in Westwood with momentum of its own.
The Bears have already secured victories over Fairfield, Siena and Fordham in recent weeks and will make the cross-country trip to Los Angeles looking to continue that run. The journey will represent Brown's biggest travel challenge of the season to date, adding another intriguing element to the inaugural Scholars Cup matchup.
A Special Occasion in Westwood
For UCLA, however, Saturday is about more than the result.
It is an opportunity for the players to experience something genuinely different—a major occasion built around their university, their rugby program and the academic reputation that makes UCLA such a globally recognized institution.
With a huge crowd expected at the IM Rugby Fields, a ticketed VIP section serving food and drinks throughout the afternoon, and supporters around the world tuning into the live broadcast, the Bruins and the entire Bruin community are preparing for a special day in Westwood.
The inaugural FirstPoint USA Scholars Cup begins Saturday, and UCLA is excited to be at the heart of it.
🏉 UCLA vs. Brown
🏆 FirstPoint USA Scholars Cup
📅 Saturday, October 10
⏰ 1:00 p.m. PT
📍 UCLA IM Rugby Fields — Westwood, CA
📺 Live on SchoolSports.tv
A new competition. A historic first meeting. A special opportunity for the Bruins.
Come out and experience it with us.
