After a grueling 18-week regular season, each conference will seed its top four teams in a single elimination tournament beginning on July 20 with the winners squaring off for the revered MLR Shield.  

Last season, the New England Free Jacks defeated the San Diego Legion 25-24 in a thrilling MLR Championship matchup in Chicago.

Be the first to get all the league news and ticket notifications for the MLR Championship by subscribing at MajorLeague.Rugby today.

About Major League Rugby

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league representing the highest level of rugby competition in North America. MLR prides itself in fostering intense, high-stakes competition while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. Matches are televised on Fox Sports, among other national and local market platforms, and its OTT Platform, The Rugby Network offers fans the ability to stream select MLR matches live, along with Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Allianz Women’s Premiership Rugby, and other international rugby content. For more information, visit www.Majorleague.Rugby and follow @USMLR on Twitter and Instagram.

Download the 2024 Major League Rugby Media Guide here.

The post San Diego selected as host for 2024 Major League Rugby Championship appeared first on Major League Rugby.

We believe this communicates on all the things that American mainstream sports fans are missing.

Grass roots Rugby is increasing, Major League Rugby is growing, the rugby world cup is coming, it’s our time.

It’s Rugby Time, America.

Fox Sports will serve as MLR’s national broadcast partner for 2024, broadcasting games on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2. Saturday night’s match on Fox Sports 2 between the Utah Warriors and Houston SaberCats will kick off the national slate, and the full list of nationally-televised games is available here.

Additionally, all Week One MLR matches are available to stream on The Rugby Network, MLR’s exclusive OTT streaming service. The Rugby Network offers a free account option and a TRN+ subscription. The service will stream every match of every team this season.

The post It’s Rugby Time, America appeared first on Major League Rugby.

(Dec. 18, 2023) – Major League Rugby (MLR), which represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America, is pleased to announce the schedule of matches for the 2024 season and an overhauled competition structure for its teams. 

For the seventh iteration, the MLR regular season will include 18 weeks of action for its 11 teams, with two bye weeks for each team. Rather than be divided into two conferences as in years past, the league will compete in a single table and play six opponents twice in the season and four opponents once. The top eight teams will qualify for the Championship Series.

The season also features the addition of the Miami Sharks and the relocation of Rugby ATL to Los Angeles, joining the Chicago Hounds, the Dallas Jackals, the Houston SaberCats, NOLA Gold, Old Glory DC, the New England Free Jacks, the San Diego Legion, the Seattle Seawolves, and the Utah Warriors.

“As we head into our seventh season, there is plenty of energy, excitement and enthusiasm behind Major League Rugby, particularly after adding a new club in the Miami Sharks and seeing our league move back into the Los Angeles market,” said Nic Benson, CEO of MLR. “Opening weekend promises to kick off another exciting season for our fans as we capitalize on our progress and continue to grow rugby for new generations of fans across North America. This season, we shifted to a single table format for our competition, ensuring all teams would play each other in an effort to determine who truly is the best of the best in our league.”

Several notable fixtures include:

• The New England Free Jacks, who hoisted the MLR Shield at the end of last season, embark on their quest for a second straight title with a home opener against Old Glory DC on Saturday, March 9.
• Texas rivals, the Dallas Jackals and Houston Sabercats, square off on Saturday, March 16 and Saturday, May 11.
• In a rematch of the 2023 MLR Championship Final, the Free Jacks square off against the San Diego Legion on Sunday, April 14 and Sunday, June 16.

Fox Sports will once again broadcast a live match of the week with a full schedule of those matches to be announced soon. The Rugby Network will stream all remaining matches live in the U.S. and around the world. 

About Major League Rugby:

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league representing the highest level of rugby competition in North America. MLR prides itself in fostering intense, high-stakes competition while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. Matches are televised on Fox Sports, among other national and local market platforms, and its OTT Platform, The Rugby Network offers fans the ability to stream select MLR matches live, along with Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Allianz Women’s Premiership Rugby, and other international rugby content. For more information, visit www.Majorleague.Rugby and follow @USMLR on Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Major League Rugby

Website | Instagram | Twitter

Johnathan McGinty

On behalf of Major League Rugby

johnathan@trestlecollective.com

The post Major League Rugby Unveils 2024 Slate Of Matchups appeared first on Major League Rugby.

PICK

TEAM

PLAYER

COLLEGE

POSITION

The post 2023 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft Results appeared first on Major League Rugby.

After the conclusion of the 2023 Major League Rugby season, to kick off the End of Season Awards, here is a closer look at the All-MLR First Team.

LOOSEHEAD PROP | JACK ISCARO, OLD GLORY DC

In a season in which Old Glory DC turned things around in emphatic fashion, Jack Iscaro stood above the rest with his efforts.
Involved in all 18 of his team’s games in 2023, the prop forward was a safe pair of hands at the scrum, helping the side to set out their stall on the way to the postseason for the first time.
At 25, the DC native is already a significant part of the Old Glory Machine, and supporters will be hoping that Iscaro will continue to be a major influence in the years to come.

HOOKER | DYLAN FAWSITT, NEW YORK IRONWORKERS

Scoring nine tries in 2023, Dylan Fawsitt continued to be a force in the front-row as the New York Ironworkers set out to protect their crown as the 2022 champions.
Starting in each of the 17 games he played in, the 32-year-old USA Eagle got his team’s set-piece rolling and was even deployed at No.8 at times because of his abilities will ball-in-hand.
Carrying the ball 105 times, Fawsitt gained 527 meters and even made 158 tackles, continuing his run as one of the league’s most consistent players.

TIGHTHEAD PROP | JUAN PABLO ZEISS, DALLAS JACKALS

For a second season in a row, Juan Pablo Zeiss finds himself in the All-MLR First Team. The Argentine picked up where he left off when moving from the Houston SaberCats to be part of Agustin Cavalieri’s Dallas Jackals.
Starting in 14 matches, the 33-year-old continued to be a rock at the scrum and helped the team that calls Choctaw Stadium home, pick up their first two MLR wins.

LEFT LOCK | SAM GOLLA, DALLAS JACKALS

In his first MLR season, the 2022 first-overall draft pick stepped into professional rugby relatively easily.
Starting in 16 games, the lock forward made 213 tackles for his team and scored three tries as the side grew under new coaching and turned their back on 2022.
An impressive player for the Jackals, Golla was rewarded with a USA call-up for his efforts and is one of the most exciting prospects in the league.

RIGHT LOCK | JOHAN MOMSEN, RUGBY ATL

Once again, Johan Momsen was imperious in the second-row. In his third season with Rugby ATL, the South African played in another 15 MLR matches and continued to display a well-rounded game.
In attack, the 27-year-old ran for 518 meters, made 169 tackles, and won seven turnovers. While it was not a vintage season for ATL, who finished 15 points from the playoffs, Momsen remained a leading light.

BLINDSIDE FLANKER | CHRISTIAN POIDEVIN, SAN DIEGO LEGION

Helping San Diego Legion back to the Championship Final for the first time since 2019, Christian Poidevin impressed massively as Danny Lee’s team finished as runners-up.
Playing in 12 matches, the Australian made 138 tackles, 11 of which were dominant, a staggering 15 turnovers in defense, and 11 turnovers at the breakdown.

OPENSIDE FLANKER | LANCE WILLIAMS, UTAH WARRIORS

Last season, Lance Williams made the All-MLR First Team thanks to a career year. This season, the 30-year-old maintained that form to be named in the team for a successive campaign.
Coming into 2023, Williams had freshly been capped as a USA Sevens Eagle and carried that confidence onto the pitch with the Utah Warriors. Starting 14 games, Williams scored five tries, ran for 630 meters, and made 178 tackles.

NO.8 | WIAN CONRADIE, NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS

Starting in 16 matches, Namibia international Wian Conradie was faultless for the New England Free Jacks as the side went on to lift the MLR Shield for the first time in Chicago.
From 216 carries, Conradie ran for an astonishing 1560 meters, beating 21 defenders and scoring seven tries in the process.
Even making 234 tackles in defense, it was a massively impressive campaign for the 28-year-old who now goes into Rugby World Cup 2023 preparations in fine form.

SCRUM-HALF | RICHARD JUDD, SAN DIEGO LEGION

To marshal San Diego Legion in 2023, the team turned to Richard Judd. A veteran of professional rugby in his native New Zealand and Japan, the 31-year-old produced impeccable performance after impeccable performance for head coach, Danny Lee.
Starting in all of the 14 games he was involved with, Judd bagged seven tries for his team and consistently kept his team on the front foot consistently as they charged to an 11-game unbeaten run across the regular season and an unbeaten campaign at Snapdragon Stadium.

FLY-HALF | JAYSON POTROZ, NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS

In his first MLR season, Jayson Potroz enjoyed a mesmeric campaign for the New England Free Jacks on the team’s way to lifting the Shield.
Player of the Match in the Championship Final, Potroz was simply unflappable. Starting 16 matches, the 31-year-old kicked 47 conversions and 15 penalties while running for over 1000 meters.
But while stats tell one part of the story, the playmaker’s natural ability to control the game and launch scintillating attacks at will, sets him apart from the crowd.

LEFT WING | NATE AUGSPURGER, SAN DIEGO LEGION

In his sixth season with the San Diego Legion, Nate Augspurger excelled and moved to the wing for Danny Lee’s team.
Crossing the try line on 11 occasions, the 33-year-old was a constant threat for the team, combining to devastating effect with his teammates and using his decade’s worth of experience to good effect.
Running for 1859 meters, Augspurger made an average of 12 meters with ball-in-hand and beat 48 defenders.

INSIDE CENTER | LE ROUX MALAN, NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS

In spite of missing several matches because of injury, Le Roux Malan finished the 2023 season in fantastic form and scored the try, which won the New England Free Jacks a title.
Starting in 10 matches and scoring nine tries, the Namibia international ran for 1132 meters and beat 22 defenders, the 24-year-old devastating in attack for Scott Mathie’s side, his potential seemingly growing with every outing.

OUTSIDE CENTER | BEN LESAGE, NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS

His first season at Veterans Memorial Stadium, Ben LeSage was a force of nature for the New England Free Jacks as the side traveled the road to success.
As we have seen since the center’s first foray into MLR with the Toronto Arrows, LeSage does every facet of the game well.
Running for 822 meters, making 105 tackles, and winning 10 turnovers for the 15 games he was in, there was much to like from the 27-year-old.

RIGHT WING | TOMAS AOAKE, SAN DIEGO LEGION

Much like his teammate on the other wing, Tomas Aoake crossed the whitewash on 11 occasions for the San Diego Legion.
A potent threat for the Californians, the 27-year-old New Zealander is in just his second season with the team and started in 15 matches.
Scoring two tries in the Western Conference Final, Aoake was the beneficiary of a hardened Legion forward pack, running for 1352 meters and beating 51 defenders.

FULL-BACK | MIKEY TE’O, SAN DIEGO LEGION

Playing in 18 games for the San Diego Legion as the team returned to the Championship Final, Mikey Te’o was back to his best in 2023.
Scoring six tries, the 29-year-old was a secondary playmaker at full-back, helping his teammates across the try line and helping the side to the top of the Western Conference.
Two years after his Player of the Year recognition, the anticipation of Te’o taking the league by storm again in 2024 is high.

The post Closer Look: The 2023 All-MLR First Team appeared first on Major League Rugby.

The top 45 players throughout the season were selected to make up the first, second, and honorable mention All-MLR teams. The selections were voted on by a group made up of MLR media, referees, and stats specialists.

The post Major League Rugby Announces 2023 First and Second All-MLR Teams, and Honorable Mention appeared first on Major League Rugby.

The post The First 50 MLR Athletes To Reach 50 Caps appeared first on Major League Rugby.

• One Try Scored
• 25 Ruck Arrivals
• 14 Tackles Made

Hooker, Jack MCRogers – Toronto Arrows

• 22 Tackles Made
• 47 Meters Run
• 12 Ruck Arrivals

Tighthead Prop, Paddy Ryan – Chicago Hounds

• One Try Scored
• 35 Meters Run
• Eight Tackles Made

Left Lock,  Tevita Naqali – Old Glory DC

• One Try Scored
• 111 Meters Run
• 11 Tackles Made

Right lock, Isaac Ross – San Diego Legion

• 20 Ruck Arrivals
• 31 Meters Run
• Six Ball Carries Made

Blindside Flanker, Tesimoni Tongauiha – NOLA Gold

• 80 Meters Run
• 13 Tackles Made
• 15 Ruck Arrivals

Openside Flanker, Tom Florence – NOLA Gold

• Two Tries Scored
• 91 Meters Run
• 10 Tackles Made

No 8., Wian Conradie – New ENgland Free Jacks

• Two Tries Scored
• 104 Meters Run
• 14 Tackles Made

Scrum-half, Jason Higgins – San Diego Legion

• Two Tries Scored
• 52 Meters Run
• Five Tackles Made

Fly-half,  Joel Hodgson – Utah Warriors

• 13 Points Scored
• 165 Meters Run
• 10 Tackles

Left Wing, Ishmail Shabazz – Rugby New York Ironworkers

• One Try Scored
• 112 Meters Run
• Seven Tackles Made

Inside Center, Le Roux Malan – New England Free Jacks

• Three Tries Scored
• 251 Meters Run
• 10 Tackles Made

Outside Center, Mitchell Richardson – toronto Arrows

• One Try Scored
• 87 Meters Run
• 20 Tackles Made

Right Wing, Ryan Matyas – san Diego Legion

• One Try Scored
• 85 Meters Run
• 12 Ruck Arrivals

Fullback, Cliven Loubser – Utah Warriors

• Two Tries Scored
• 200 Meters Run
• Seven Defenders Beaten

The post First XV | WK 18 appeared first on Major League Rugby.

The post HIGHLIGHTS | Toronto vs NOLA appeared first on Major League Rugby.

Dallas Jackals vs Chicago hounds | Saturday, june 17 at 6:00 PM ET

Everywhere Live and Free: The Rugby Network

And KTXA and Marquee Sports Network

Old Glory DC vs Rugby ATL | saturday, june 17 at 7:00 PM ET

Everywhere Live and Free: The Rugby Network

And MASN 2

Toronto arrows vs NOla gold | saturday, june 17 at 7:00 PM ET

Everywhere Live and Free: The Rugby Network

And YurView

Canada: TSN, TSN.ca, TSN App

New england free jacks vs houston sabercats | sunday, june 18 at 1:30 PM ET

US TV: FS1

Outside the US: The Rugby Network

Following a 24-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

New york ironworkers vs utah warriors | Sunday, june 18 at 3:00 PM ET

Everywhere Live and Free: The Rugby Network

And MSG and KMYU

San deigo legion vs seattle seawolves | Sunday, june 18 at 7:00 PM ET

US TV: FS1

Outside the US: The Rugby Network

Following a 24-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

The post How To Watch: June 17 – 18 appeared first on Major League Rugby.