Chicago Tempest Kick Off Season 2 of Women’s Elite Rugby this May
Tempest Open Second Campaign with Home Opener on May 2
CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Tempest return for the 2026 Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) season, continuing their run in the first professional women’s rugby league in the United States. The Tempest will open their campaign on Saturday, May 2 at 7:00 PM CDT at home against the Twin Cities Gemini.
Led by Head Coach Kristin Zdanczewicz, the Tempest enter their second WER season ready to jump back into action. Adriana Mendoza is the only returning player to have appeared in all 10 games with the Tempest last season. Katie Lohaus, a native of the midwest, returns to a long rugby career in Chicago after playing with the Boston Banshees last season.
Fans are invited to experience Tempest rugby all season long at Benedictine University Stadium. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
The 2026 Chicago Tempest roster is as follows:
Adriana Mendoza Silva, Anabel Diaz, Ashtyn Kelly, Candela Mangiardi-Querol, Caoilfhionn Morrissey, Chloe Runge, Colleen Murphy, Emily Krahn, Gabrielle Pennino, Gracie Anderson, Hannah Trommer, Ilene Andrade, Jayla Twitty, Josephine Fischer, Katie Lohaus, Kaylee Westmoreland, Maddie Bowers, Maggie Lockwood, Marin Cohan, Meg Loomis, Michal Ann Williams, Nicole Fisch, Nicoleta Mesina, Órna Moynihan
Upcoming Chicago Tempest Games:
Home Games (Benedictine University Stadium – Lisle, IL)
May 2, 2026 – Chicago Tempest vs. TC Gemini , 7:00 PM CDT
May 10, 2026 – Chicago Tempest vs. Boston Banshees , 5:00 PM CDT
June 14, 2026 – Chicago Tempest vs Bay Breakers, 5:00PM CDT
July 11, 2026 – Chicago Tempest vs. New York Exiles, 5:00 PM CDT
July 26, 2026 – Chicago Tempest vs Denver Onyx , 5:00PM CDT
Away Games
May 17, 2026 – at New York Exiles, 2:00 PM EDT
May 31, 2026 – at Bay Breakers, 5:00 PM PDT
June 7, 2026 – at Denver Onyx, 5:00 PM MDT
June 21, 2026 – at TC Gemini, 1:00 PM CDT
July 18, 2026 – at Boston Banshees, 5:00 PM EDT
Media Access:
If you are looking to cover games and attend practices throughout the season, please fill out a media credential form HERE. For the latest news and update, follow WER on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About WERWomen’s Elite Rugby (WER) is redefining the future of the sport in the United States as the first professional women’s rugby league. Officially launched in 2024, WER’s inaugural season kicked off in March 2025 with six founding teams across Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, Northern California, and the Twin Cities, featuring 180 of the world’s top athletes. Built on the competitive legacy of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), WER evolves the game from amateur roots into a professional stage built for longevity, unlocking new opportunities for athletes, partners, and fans. With a focus on elite competition, commercial growth, and cultural relevance, WER is ushering in the next stage of rugby in the United States. For further information visit: https://www.womenseliterugby.us/.