ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Albuquerque Rugby Club will travel to Aguascalientes, Mexico from April 23–25 as part of a cultural exchange and to compete in the 2026 San Marqueño 10s Rugby Tournament. The club will field its Aguilas Aztecas team, a Mexican‑American men’s and women’s squad affiliated with the ABQ Rugby Club. Last year’s tournament featured the ABQ Aardvarks.
The San Marqueño 10s takes place during La Feria de San Marcos, the largest cultural fair in Mexico, attracting an estimated 8 million visitors each year. The festival, which dates back to 1828, is known for its concerts, parades, artisan markets, rodeos, and its ties to La Catrina — one of Mexico’s most iconic cultural symbols.
Alongside the tournament, the ABQ Rugby Club will take part in a cultural exchange coordinated with Salma Luevano, coordinator of inclusion within Mexico’s Secretariat of Economics and a member of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s cabinet. The exchange builds on last year’s visit, which included meetings with officials and support from the New Mexico Tourism Department. That collaboration helped strengthen economic ties between New Mexico and Aguascalientes.
During the upcoming trip, the Aguilas Aztecas will meet with members of the local community to discuss the sport of rugby and its role in promoting teamwork, community building, and physical and mental well‑being.
The Albuquerque Rugby Club operates as a nonprofit and includes both the long‑running ABQ Aardvarks, founded in 1972, and the international Aguilas Aztecas project, recognized as the first Mexican‑American men’s and women’s rugby club. The organization says its mission is to expand access to rugby across all age groups and competitive levels, including international development pathways.
The club credits its local sponsors for supporting this year’s trip and says it is still accepting donations to help cover travel expenses.
