The Los Angeles Roosters, the Sydney Roosters' USA-based partner club, have booked their place in the USA Rugby League (USARL) National Championship after topping the West Coast Division in the 2026 season, and they'll do it on home soil against Tampa Mayhem.
The final kicks off at 4pm local time in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 29, 9am AEST on Sunday, August 30 for fans following along from Sydney.
It's the latest milestone in a rapid rise for the LA club, which was founded in 2023 and competed as the LA Bandidos before rebranding as the LA Roosters following the Sydney Roosters' landmark partnership with USARL, announced in November 2024. That partnership established a West Coast Rugby League Academy, brought biannual visits from Sydney's high-performance staff to mentor local coaches and officials, and created a development fund supporting youth and women's programs across USARL's conferences.
A West Coast Division title and a shot at the national championship is exactly the kind of result the partnership was built to produce.
Joe Kelly CEO, Sydney Roosters
"When we established this partnership, our vision was to build something sustainable for rugby league in America, not just a strong season," Sydney Roosters CEO Joe Kelly said. "A West Coast Division title and a place in the national championship in such a short time is really pleasing, and it's a credit to everyone at the LA Roosters. It's exactly the kind of impact on the growth of the game in the US that we hoped this investment would deliver. We'll all be cheering them on from Sydney, and we wish the boys the very best of luck against Tampa Mayhem."
Standing between the Roosters and the title is Tampa Mayhem, who progressed to the final as champions of USARL's Southeast Conference. It sets up a coast-to-coast decider between two of the competition's form clubs.
The men's title tilt isn't the only good news out of Los Angeles this year. The club's women's side went back-to-back at the Las Vegas Rugby League 9s in 2026, while seven LA Roosters players earned selection to the USA Hawks squad, further evidence of the depth the Sydney Roosters' investment is building on the West Coast.
For a club playing just its second season, a national championship appearance is a significant statement, and one the Sydney Roosters will be watching closely as their American venture continues to grow.
Kick-off for the USARL National Championship final is 9am AEST, Sunday August 30.
