Greater Chicago Rugby and Business Alliance

Chicago!????? This?Saturday, March 15th, the?FIRST PLACE Chicago Hounds Rugby squad ?take on?Old Glory DC Rugby?at?SeatGeek Stadium—kickoff at?12:00 PM. Start your?St. Patrick’s Day weekend?with family-friendly fun, live Irish music, morning tailgating, incredible energy, and the most exciting sport in town… all before your afternoon and evening plans kick off. Let’s pack the stands and show our support for Chicago’s?Major League Rugby?team as they head into their bye week on top. Feel free to reach out with any ticket questions. Would love to see you out there! Up the Hounds!???????

???? Rugby’s Growth in the U.S. is Accelerating—And Chicago is in the Middle of It. With the?new ESPN broadcast agreement, Major League Rugby is taking a major step forward in expanding #rugby’s presence across the U.S. More games, bigger audiences, and an even stronger platform for teams, players, and partners. For businesses in #Chicago, this is?an opportunity. Chicago Hounds Rugby?is part of a fast-growing league that’s gaining national attention and delivering?meaningful engagement?for #brands looking to connect with an active, passionate, and growing fanbase. At the?Greater Chicago Rugby and Business Alliance (CRBA), we believe in the?power of sports to drive business opportunities, #community engagement, and long-term #partnerships.?With rugby’s momentum only increasing, now is the time for businesses to get involved. Read more about MLR’s latest milestone from Forbes here ?? ?? https://lnkd.in/g7TQU5PB Join the conversation. Connect with CRBA. Be part of rugby’s growth in Chicago. #MLR #ChicagoHounds #RugbyBusiness #SportsMarketing #UpTheHounds

???The 2025 Chicago Hounds Rugby season is here!??? The season kicks off this?Saturday at 7 PM?as the Hounds take on the Houston SaberCats Rugby squad. ???#Business leaders—this is your opportunity to #engage, #connect, and experience professional rugby in Chicago! The?Chicago Hounds offer group ticket options?perfect for: ??#Corporate outings?– Build #relationships and entertain clients ??Employee #engagement?– Create a unique team-building experience ??#Networking & brand exposure?– Connect with other professionals in a dynamic setting We’re also celebrating?Opening Weekend?with a?Hounds-hosted Watch Party?at?Revolution Brewery & Taproom—come out, connect, and experience the energy of professional rugby. ?? Contact us (send a direct message or reply to this) to learn more about?group ticket opportunities and premium hospitality options for your company or organization! Up the Hounds!??????? #ChicagoHounds #MLR #BusinessNetworking #ChicagoBusiness #GroupTickets #CRBA

CRBA Kickoff attendees: Thank you for making the launch of the Greater Chicago Rugby and Business Alliance such an inspiring and impactful evening. Your presence and engagement helped turn this event into more than just a gathering—it became a true reflection of what’s possible when #collaboration, #curiosity, and shared #vision come together. Last night wasn’t just about networking or celebrating #rugby and #business; it was about building something meaningful. And as we were naming this group, we didn’t choose the word "Alliance" lightly. It's meant to be a call to collective action—an invitation to work together to create positive change not only in business but also in our community. Rugby and business share a foundation of #teamwork, #strategy, and #resilience, and through the CRBA, we have the opportunity to live out those values. Whether it was through connections strengthened or new partnerships sparked, last night was the beginning of something greater—a platform where we can collectively shape the future of rugby, business, and our city. And I’m excited to share that we’re already planning our next big event, scheduled for April 10th. We’ll, too, have smaller events and opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build on last night’s success in the months leading up to April. Stay tuned to this page for more details. As we move forward, I hope you’ll continue to be part of this journey. There’s so much potential to be unlocked, and I’m excited for what we can achieve together. Thank you again for being a part of this moment. I look forward to seeing how the CRBA will continue to grow and make an impact—with your help and collaboration leading the way. Ron Estrada Director of Outreach & Development Chicago Hounds Rugby ????

TONIGHT!! Join Us for the Greater Chicago Rugby and Business Alliance Kickoff Event! Experience a night of networking, collaboration, and inspiration as we launch the Greater Chicago Rugby and Business Alliance tonight, January 23rd at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery. Whether you’re passionate about #rugby, #business, or building meaningful #connections, this event is for you. ?? Why Attend? Explore how the shared values of rugby and business—#teamwork, #strategy, and #resilience - can inspire success in any industry. Connect with professionals from diverse fields, learn from industry leaders, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Guinness Brewery. ?? Reserve Your Spot Now! Register here: https://lnkd.in/g_gDdWSV *Attendance is FREE* ?? Event Schedule: 6:30 PM: Check-In & Networking 7:00 PM: Welcome & Opening Remarks 7:10 PM: Panel Q&A with: ?- James English (CEO, Chicago Hounds) ?- Peter Bernick (Majority Owner, Chicago Hounds) ?- Chris Latham (Head Coach, Chicago Hounds) ?- Nate Augspurger (Hounds and US Eagles player) 7:40 PM: Audience Q&A 8:00 PM: Networking & Closing Connections Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something impactful. Register today and join the movement!

Greetings CRBA members! We’re excited to welcome you to the?Greater Chicago Rugby and Business Alliance Kickoff Event?on January 23 at Guinness Open Gate Brewery! This event is a unique opportunity to connect with professionals from diverse industries while exploring the shared values of #rugby and #business—teamwork, strategy, and resilience. Event Schedule: 6:30 PM: Check-In & Networking 7:00 PM: Welcome & Opening Remarks 7:10 PM: Panel Q&A featuring James English (CEO, Chicago Hounds), Peter Bernick (Majority Owner, Chicago Hounds), and Chris Latham (Head Coach, Chicago Hounds) 7:40 PM: Audience Q&A 8:00 PM: Networking & Closing Connections To help streamline the evening and ensure a personalized experience, we kindly ask you to register your?name, organization, and title?here: https://lnkd.in/gRuUASRQ. This will allow us to prepare your name badge in advance. We look forward to an evening of meaningful conversations and collaboration. See you on January 23!

?? We’re thrilled to have the support of World Business Chicago as we work to unite #rugby and #business across Chicago! Thank you to Abin Kuriakose, Phil Clement, and their team for hosting James English and Ron Estrada from Chicago Hounds Rugby at their HQ and championing the Greater Chicago Rugby and Business Alliance. ?? As rugby continues to grow globally and in the U.S., the CRBA aims to bring professionals together to explore opportunities at the intersection of sport and business. Together, we can amplify rugby’s impact in the Midwest and beyond. ??? Join us for the CRBA launch event on January 23 to learn more about this exciting initiative. RSVP via the link in the comments!

Join us for an evening of networking, insight, and collaboration as we launch the CRBA—a new initiative connecting Chicago’s rugby and business communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with local leaders, hear from our expert panel, and learn how rugby’s values of teamwork and strategy inspire success beyond the pitch.

Join Us to Kick Off a New Era of Sport and Business Collaboration! Join us on Thursday, January 23, 2025, for the launch of the Greater Chicago Rugby & Business Alliance (CRBA)—an exciting opportunity to connect Chicago’s rugby and business communities. ?? When: Thursday, January 23, 2025 ? Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ?? Where: Guinness Open Gate Brewery, 901 W Kinzie Street, Chicago Whether you’re a rugby enthusiast, business leader, or someone eager to network and build meaningful connections, this event is for you. Learn more about the CRBA, our vision for 2025, and the unique opportunities to partner with us and grow together. Follow us for updates—we look forward to seeing you on January 23rd! #RugbyMeetsBusiness #CRBA #ChicagoHounds #NetworkingEvent

At the Greater Chicago Rugby & Business Alliance (CRBA), we love seeing examples of how rugby’s core values—teamwork, strategy, and resilience—translate into impactful opportunities off the field. This article from earlier this year highlights a fantastic partnership between the Indiana University - Kelley School of Business, the United States Rugby Players Association, and the Major League Rugby Players Association (MLRPA), offering lessons that remain highly relevant as we look ahead. As we gear up for our inaugural CRBA event in early 2025 (save-the-date coming soon!) we’re inspired by initiatives like this that bridge the worlds of #rugby, #business, and investing in players' futures. They remind us of the potential for collaboration, professional growth, and innovation when these two communities come together. #RugbyAndBusiness #ChicagoBusiness #TeamworkInAction #RugbyCommunity #LeadershipThroughSport #BusinessNetworking #CRBA #SportsAndBusiness