Epic weekend of rugby in Fernie

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Posted: August 10, 2026

Terrace Northmen RFC regained the Men’s Saratoga Cup while the Rocky Mountain Rogues celebrated its maiden Women’s Saratoga Cup Championship after an incredible weekend of action in Fernie.

The 2026 Saratoga Cup will go down as one of the biggest and most memorable editions of the annual BC Rugby Provincial Championships for our Northern and Interior Leagues.

Hosted by the Elk Valley Bulls in Fernie on August 8-9, the tournament brought together some of the best Senior Men’s and Women’s teams from across the Central Interior, Okanagan and Kootenays for a weekend of incredible action albeit in smoky conditions.

In the Men’s XVs Championship, the Terrace Northmen RFC recaptured the Saratoga Cup, defeating host club Elk Valley Bulls 14-5 in the championship final to claim a historic fifth title.

The Northmen’s run to victory was particularly impressive given the intensity of the weekend. For the first time in Saratoga Cup history, both Men’s XVs Semi-Finals went into extra time, producing two hard-fought contests and setting the stage for a dramatic final day. Terrace defeated Rocky Mountain Rogues 38-28 while the Elk Valley Bulls defeated the defending champions Vernon Jackals 38-24.

Terrace ultimately emerged as the last team standing, while the Elk Valley Bulls capped off an outstanding weekend on home soil. The Rocky Mountain Rogues finished third, with a 34-5 win over Vernon.

The Women’s Saratoga Cup competition produced perhaps the weekend’s biggest breakthrough. After finishing as Saratoga Cup runners-up in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Rocky Mountain Rogues finally broke through to claim their first-ever championship.

The Rogues defeated defending champions Yeti Rugby 15-12 in a fantastic final, turning the tables on the team that denied them the title in 2025. After three consecutive runner-up finishes, the long-awaited championship was a fitting reward for a program that had consistently been among the competition’s best.

The Women’s 7s tournament also showcased the continued growth and reach of the Saratoga Cup. Trail RFC made its second appearance at the event, building on its 2025 debut, while the Nelson Valhalla Valkyries made their Saratoga Cup debut in Fernie.

Valhalla made an immediate impact, winning two matches in its first appearance at the tournament – an encouraging sign for the growth of women’s rugby in the Kootenays.

Elk Valley/Penticton – nicknamed the “BullPen” – rounded out the women’s field, finishing fifth overall after combining forces for the tournament.

For Elk Valley, the weekend was about more than the result. Hosting the Saratoga Cup brought the province’s top regional teams to Fernie and gave the local rugby community an opportunity to showcase the club, the town and the sport in the Elk Valley.

With dramatic extra-time semi-finals, new champions, returning contenders and a first-time participant making an immediate impact, the 2026 Saratoga Cup delivered a fitting celebration of summer rugby in British Columbia.

BC Rugby would like to thank the Elk Valley Bulls for hosting this year’s event, alongside the team of volunteers, Officials, medical therapists that made it happen.

2026 Saratoga Cup Results

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

MEN’S XVs RESULTS

Saratoga Cup Final: Terrace Northmen RFC 14-5 Elk Valley Bulls

3^rd-Place Play-Off: Rocky Mountain Rogues 34-5 Vernon Jackals

WOMEN’S 7s RESULTS

Women’s Saratoga Cup Final: Rocky Mountain Rogues 15-12 Yeti Rugby

3^rd Place Play-Off: Trail RFC 17-5 Valhalla Valkyries

Semi-Final: Rocky Mountain Rogues 19-0 Trail RFC

Semi-Final: Yeti Rugby 36-0 Valhalla Valkyries

Quarter-Final: Valhalla Valkyries 15-5 Elk Valley Bulls

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8