Alexandria to bring back Mayor's Cup rugby match against sister city Dundee
After 16 years, the city aims to reclaim the trophy lost to Scotland in the original 2008-2009 series
Alexandria is reviving the Mayor’s Cup, a rugby competition with its sister city Dundee, Scotland, with a match scheduled for May 2026. This time, the city hopes to bring the trophy home.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced the news at Tuesday’s City Council legislative meeting, days after the city hosted representatives from Scotland for the 54th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend.
“Previously there was a Mayor’s Cup between the two cities in which we competed in a rugby match — the trophy is currently in Dundee,” Gaskins told the council. “We are going to be bringing back the Mayor’s Cup.”
The trophy has been in Scotland’s possession since the original series, when the Mayor’s Cup was first contested in Dundee in August 2008 and then in Alexandria in May 2009. The Lord Provost of Dundee’s Select XV won both matches, according to the @alexandriamayorscup Instagram account, which is organizing the 2026 return.
“We’re ready for the rematch — it’s long overdue,” the organizers posted on Nov. 29 with the hashtag #BringBackTheCup.
The 2026 match will be played at George Washington Middle School, the same venue that hosted the 2009 competition. Team tryouts were held Dec. 6 during Scottish Walk weekend, and Gaskins posted photos from the tryouts on her Facebook page. The Alexandria Select XV also played a match against Young Glory Senior Academy at GW Middle School that day, followed by a fundraising reception at the Eagles Club, and walked in the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade alongside Old Glory DC Rugby.
The announcement came during a weekend celebrating Alexandria’s deep Scottish roots. Alexandria and Dundee were twinned in 1962, with both cities built along riverbanks and sharing similar-sized populations. Gary Langlands and Enne Cant, chair and vice chair of the Dundee-Alexandria Twinning Association, attended the Scottish Walk parade from Scotland.
Alexandria was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants and named after Scotsman John Alexander, who owned the land that became Alexandria.
Gaskins thanked Visit Alexandria and the Campagna Center for organizing the weekend events that welcomed the Scottish dignitaries.
Specific dates for the May 2026 Mayor’s Cup match have not yet been announced. Those interested can follow @alexandriamayorscup on Instagram for updates.