Maggotfest

View on map
UniqueMissoula
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesWhat sets Maggotfest apart from a standard
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Maggotfest in Missoula

Maggotfest is an annual social rugby tournament hosted every May by the Missoula All-Maggots Rugby Club, drawing roughly 48 men's, women's, college, and over-35 teams from across the United States, Canada, and beyond. Held on pitches around Missoula, Montana, since the late 1970s, it blends competitive 15-a-side matches with costumes, free beer, and a legendary downtown after-party that has made it a fixture of the rugby world.

Missoula calls itself a river town, a college town, and, for one weekend every May, a rugby town.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What sets Maggotfest apart from a standard tournament bracket is its festival-style format: organizers deliberately pair clubs of similar ability so teams that would rarely meet, including touring sides from England, New Zealand, Australia, and beyond, get real, competitive rugby rather than lopsided blowouts

02

The mystery stays covered

Each side plays three matches across the weekend, but the event is equally famous for its social calendar, a Thursday pig roast fueled by Big Sky Brewing kegs, a whitewater rafting trip down the Lochsa River for visiting host clubs, and trophies for Most Honored Side and Best Play on the Pitch that reward sportsmanship as much as skill

03

The city starts moving

Free beer flows all weekend for the 21-plus crowd

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Maggotfest centers on deliberately mismatched

Water and renewal

Living ritual

festival-style scheduling rather than a single-elimination bracket

The sacred route

Living ritual

so touring clubs from as far as England

The local code

Living ritual

New Zealand

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and Australia get competitive matches against Montana and regional sides

Tradition 6

Living ritual

The tournament awards a Most Honored Side trophy for the team that best embodies rugby's social spirit alongside a Best Play on the Pitch award

Tradition 7

Living ritual

Host clubs are treated to a Thursday-night pig roast fueled by Big Sky Brewing kegs and

Tradition 8

Living ritual

for decades

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

For Maggotfest, plan transport around the exact Missoula venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Layered outdoor sportswear works best: Missoula in late May can swing from cool mornings to warm, sunny afternoons, so shorts and a T-shirt with a light jacket for evenings is typical. Many...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Maggotfest, stay near the part of Missoula you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map46.87 N, 113.99 WOpen in Google Maps

Missoula, MT

Nearest airportMSO — Missoula Montana
TransportFor Maggotfest, plan transport around the exact Missoula venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Maggotfest, stay near the part of Missoula you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Missoula via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Missoula, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearLayered outdoor sportswear works best: Missoula in late May can swing from cool mornings to warm, sunny afternoons, so shorts and a T-shirt with a light jacket for evenings is typical. Many spectators and off-duty players lean into the tournament's costume culture, wearing team colors, kilts, capes, or themed outfits for the Saturday night party. Cleats and rugby kit are essential for players; comfortable closed-toe shoes suit spectators walking between pitches and downtown venues.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Maggotfest?

Maggotfest is listed for May · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Maggotfest take place?

The festival is listed in Missoula, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Missoula, MT

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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