If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve seen her. The red lipstick. The stiff-arm that sends defenders flying. The unapologetic "beast beauty" energy. Ilona Maher isn't just a rugby player; she’s a legitimate cultural phenomenon. But if you’re trying to figure out what team does Ilona Maher play for right now, in early 2026, the answer is actually a bit more complicated than just looking up a roster.
Rugby isn't like the NFL or the NBA. Players jump between "sevens" and "fifteens," and they often balance national team duties with short-term club contracts overseas.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of.
The Short Answer: Who is She Suiting Up For?
Right now, as of January 2026, Ilona Maher is officially listed as a member of the USA Eagles (the United States national rugby union team). However, if you're looking for her on a pitch this very second, you might be disappointed. After a grueling 2025 that saw her transition back to 15-a-side rugby and compete in the Rugby World Cup in England, she is currently taking a hiatus from active match play.
She hasn't retired. Not by a long shot. But she’s currently focusing on her massive media presence and "getting hotter, funnier, and sassier," as she recently told her millions of followers.
Her Recent Run with Bristol Bears
To understand where she is now, we have to look back at her big move to England. In late 2024, fresh off her Olympic bronze medal in Paris and a runner-up finish on Dancing with the Stars, Maher shocked the rugby world by signing with the Bristol Bears in the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) league.
This was a massive deal.
Usually, we see Ilona playing "sevens"—the fast-paced, Olympic version of the game with only seven players on each side. The move to Bristol meant she was switching to the traditional 15-player format. The hype was real. Her debut was actually moved from a small local ground to the 27,000-seat Ashton Gate stadium just to handle the ticket demand.
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- League: Premiership Women's Rugby (England)
- Contract Length: Three months (January 2025 – March 2025)
- Stat of Note: She scored her first try for the club in a 41–31 win against the Exeter Chiefs.
That stint with Bristol was designed to get her ready for the 15s World Cup. Once that contract ended and the World Cup wrapped up in late 2025, she stepped back from club rugby.
The USA National Team Connection
The team Ilona Maher is most famous for—and the one she essentially belongs to for life in the eyes of fans—is the USA Women’s National Sevens Team.
She’s a two-time Olympian. Tokyo 2020 put her on the map, but Paris 2024 made her a legend. Leading the USA to a bronze medal—the first ever for the US in women’s sevens—solidified her spot as the face of American rugby.
In 2025, she proved her versatility by earning a spot on the USA Eagles XVs squad for the World Cup in England. Even though the Eagles didn't make it past the pool stage, Maher played in all three matches. It showed she wasn't just a "sevens specialist." She could hang in the much more physical, grinding world of 15s.
Why You Aren't Seeing Her on a Roster Right Now
You’ve probably noticed she’s been busy. Very busy.
Between co-founding her skincare brand, Medalist, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and managing a social media empire that exceeds 8 million followers, rugby has taken a temporary backseat to "Ilona the Brand."
In January 2026, she confirmed on her podcast, House of Maher, that she doesn't have immediate plans to return to the pitch. She’s currently a "part-time professional," which is a fancy way of saying she’s keeping her options open. She is still under a multi-year partnership with Adidas, meaning she’s still very much an "active athlete" in the eyes of the industry, but she isn't currently grinding through a club season.
What's Next?
Basically, if you want to see her play again, you’re looking toward the next major international cycles. The rugby world moves in waves. With her 15s World Cup experience now under her belt, there is always the possibility of her returning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Home turf. Massive stakes. It’s the kind of stage Ilona lives for.
For now, the team she "plays for" is Team Ilona. She’s using her platform to advocate for body positivity and to make sure women's sports get the respect (and the funding) they deserve.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with her actual playing status:
- Check the USA Rugby Roster: The official USA Eagles website is the only place that will confirm if she’s been called up for a specific tour or tournament.
- Follow the "House of Maher" Podcast: She's surprisingly transparent there about her physical condition and whether she's feeling the "itch" to return to contact training.
- Watch for PWR News: If she returns to club rugby, it will likely be another short-term "blockbuster" signing in the English Premiership or potentially a new professional league in the States if one gains traction.
Ilona Maher has changed the blueprint for what a professional rugby player looks like. She’s proved you can be a world-class bruiser on the field and a glamorous entrepreneur off it. Whether she's wearing the Bristol Bears colors or the Stars and Stripes, she’s clearly not done yet.