The men's and women's teams of Ivy Rugby Conference constitute its own conference of USA Rugby. Ivy Rugby’s collegiate conference replaces the prior structure for the teams, which had required them to be part of four (4) Local Area Unions EPRU, Met NY, Upstate NY and New England in two Geographic Unions the Northeast and the Mid Atlantic. Ivy Rugby operates within four referee societies including EPRRS, Met NY, Upstate NY and New England.

The Ivy Rugby Conference is not affiliated with the Council of Ivy Group Presidents ("The Ivy League"), which organizes intercollegiate athletic competitions at the varsity level. The name "Ivy Rugby" is used with The Ivy League's permission.