ARIMA, Trinidad, CMC—The stage is set for one of the most significant Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens events as 18 teams prepare to compete at the Larry Gomes Stadium from November 22 to 24.
Originally scheduled as a two-day competition, the tournament has been extended to three days, highlighting its growing importance in the regional rugby calendar.
This year’s tournament carries high stakes, with champions of the Men’s and Women’s Tier 1 brackets securing qualification for the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025.
The top two teams, excluding Canada (which pre-qualifies), will also earn spots at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games’ Sevens competition. In 2025, a promotion-relegation format will see the Men’s Tier 2 champion ascend to Tier 1, adding an extra layer of competition.
This expanded format reflects the tournament’s growing stature. Last year, it served as the Olympic Qualifying Event for Paris 2024 in Langford, British Columbia.
In 2023, the US men and Canadian women emerged victorious, clinching their places in Paris. Canada Men and Mexico Women were runners-up, while Mexico Men and Jamaica Women rounded out the top three.
This year, 12 men’s teams will compete across two tiers. Tier 1 features eight of the region’s top teams, including defending champions Canada, hosts Trinidad & Tobago, and regional powerhouses Jamaica and Mexico. Tier 2 consists of four emerging teams eager to make their mark: Curaçao, Dominican Republic, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Turks & Caicos Islands.
The women’s bracket showcases five countries and six teams, with Trinidad & Tobago fielding two sides. Mexico returns as a favorite, bringing experience from the HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024.
Meanwhile, Jamaica, a perennial contender, looks to reclaim its spot on the world stage. Barbados Women, riding a wave of domestic development, and the returning Dominican Republic round out a highly competitive field.
Participating Teams
Men’s Tier 1: Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago
Men’s Tier 2: Curaçao, Dominican Republic, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Turks & Caicos Islands
Women: Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago ‘B’
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