Aspen Old Gents Fall to Cardinals in Ruggerfest Opener

Aspen —Fred Waititi is running. He’s leading the attack for the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club’s 55s side, a squad of men who have likely seen more than their fair share of knee replacements and bad backs. It is Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen, and the air is crisp.

Waititi isn’t alone. He’s part of a group locals affectionately call the “Old Gents,” and they are here to open Ruggerfest 58. The Aspen Times reported on the kickoff, capturing the energy of a tournament that has been a cornerstone of the town’s calendar for decades.

The 55s division is a single game, and it went quickly to the Cardinals. The final score? 22-7. It wasn’t a blowout, but it was decisive enough to send the Gents home with a loss. Still, they showed up. They laced their boots. They ran the field while the rest of Aspen likely slept in or sipped coffee on a porch.

That matters because Ruggerfest isn’t just about the open divisions where the Denver Barbarians are the reigning men’s champions. It’s about the continuity. The Gents had won four straight tournaments before the Barbarians took over, a streak that says something about the depth of this community’s love for the sport. And now, in their 50s and beyond, they’re still playing.

Action picks up Friday with the 35s and 45s divisions. Games will run from 8:45 a.m. until the final match at 5:30 p.m., split between Wagner and Rio Grande parks. The men’s and women’s open divisions follow on Saturday, with finals for all divisions scheduled for Sunday.

General spectating is free. You don’t need a ticket, you just need to be there.

The tournament’s 58th edition is a reminder that Aspen isn’t just about skiing or luxury real estate. It’s about a group of older men colliding on a grassy field in the middle of town, trying to outmuscle their opponents one last time. It’s about neighbors showing up for each other, even when the scoreboard doesn’t go their way.

Waititi and his teammates might be done for the day, but the tournament is just getting started. The 35s and 45s are next, and the energy at Wagner Park will likely shift from respectful nodding to full-throated cheering.

The Gents lost their opener, but they won the respect of anyone who stood by the fence and watched them run. That’s a different kind of victory, one that doesn’t show up on the bracket but lingers in the memory.

As the sun sets over Wagner Park, the field is quiet again. The players have gone to coolers and chairs, maybe sharing a beer or a sandwich. The grass is worn in spots where the scrums formed, the earth turned up and dark.

Somewhere nearby, a young kid is watching the 35s warm up, probably wondering if he’ll be one of these guys when he’s older. The answer, for many in Aspen, is yes.