Andean Rugby Championship Set to Kick Off with Eduardo Barletta Tournament
The 2026 Andean rugby season is poised to start with the “Eduardo Barletta” Apertura Tournament of the Championship Zone, scheduled to start on March 21. The tournament will feature seven teams representing the provinces of La Rioja and Catamarca, marking another year of growing intensity and competition in regional rugby.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The competition will employ a round-robin system, with each team playing every other team twice, totaling 14 matches in the regular phase. The top four teams will then advance to the semifinals, with the first-place team facing the fourth and the second facing the third. The winners of the semifinals will compete for the championship title, while the losing teams will play for third place.
The tournament schedule is designed to accommodate participation in the Central Regional Tournament, which will run concurrently with the Unión Cordobesa. This will require clubs to strategically manage their squads and game plans throughout a demanding calendar.
Opening Day Fixtures
The first day of competition, on March 21, will feature the following matches:
- Teros vs. Matacos
- Catamarca RC vs. CRAR
- Hurones vs. Chelcos
Social will have a bye on the opening day.
Key Dates
- March 21: First Day of Competition
- April 4: Second Day of Competition
- August 15: Final Day of Regular Phase
- August 29: Semifinals
- September 19: Finals
Participating Teams
The tournament will include four clubs from La Rioja – Social, Chelcos, CRAR, and Matacos de Chamical – and three from Catamarca – Catamarca RC, Teros, and Hurones.
A Tournament Honoring a Rugby Pioneer
The tournament is named in honor of Eduardo Barletta, a pioneer of rugby in Catamarca and founder of the Club Los Teros El Ancasti. Barletta also served on various rugby unions in La Rioja and Catamarca and was a member of the Disciplinary Commission of the Andean Rugby Union El Ancasti. His dedication to the sport is further recognized by the naming of the Los Teros’ main field in his honor El Esquiu, Inforama.
With a balanced format and the participation of established and emerging teams, the Apertura “Eduardo Barletta” tournament promises a competitive and exciting season of Andean rugby. The competition is expected to build momentum as teams vie for the 2026 Andean title.