11 TO 7? As MLR teams fold and seek funding here's what we know:
Miami Sharks / NOLA Gold scrubbed from MLR Website
By Thomas McGlinchey | The Overload
It’s been a rough month for Major League Rugby. MLR has gone from 11 to eight clubs in just a span of a few weeks, with at least one other club seeking funding.
11 TO 10:
To begin, San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFCLA) have merged to create The California Legion, a newly formed professional rugby team that will compete in the 2026 Major League Rugby season.
California Legion CEO Adam Freier told The Overload that the decision to merge was not a financial decision.
“This was a strategic decision around strengthening the region with the highest participation rate for rugby in the U.S.,” said Freier. “ It also enables us to support potential new MLR partners in Northern California to be part of the league and grow the game not only in the U.S., but in the state and the fourth-largest economy in the world.”
For California, this is the fourth iteration of a pro club – San Diego Legion (2018-25), LA Giltinis (2020-23), RFC Los Angeles (2024-25), California Legion (2025-Present), which begs the question: iIf rugby can't find any traction in California, or specifically, LA, why is the MLR going this route instead of pursuing sports markets with better track records?
“It's not about sports markets,” said Freier. “It’s about thriving sports communities and the participation in the sport. This gives each market a longer runway to promote and build for these events. This is not uncommon in rugby globally, nor is it uncommon in MLR with Utah and New England. We don’t want to be seen as a touring Savannah Bananas type team. We want to be a global aspirational brand that ALL of California wants to be part of, and the Legion brand needs to be that driving force.”
The Legion will play twice in Los Angeles (RFC LA played at UCLA’s Wallis Annenberg Stadium last season), three times at The Great Park in Irvine, California (approximately 40 minutes from Los Angeles and 50 minutes from San Diego), and twice at Torrerro Stadium in San Diego (home stadium for San Diego Legion).
“This gives both fans a minimum of five matches that are within drivable distance for each,” said Freier. “We also will have one exhibition match in North Cal each season, to drive awareness and spark ownership interest.”
10 TO 8:
At the same time as the California Legion announcement, NOLA Gold informed Major League Rugby that they “do not intend to participate in the 2026 season. Discussions are ongoing with the League regarding future opportunities and potential pathways forward.”
The Miami Sharks have also reportedly withdrawn for the 2026 season. The Sharks were scrubbed off the MLR website, but nothing official has been announced from MLR or Miami. The last bit of news that did come out of Miami is that, ironically, Milagros Cubelli, CEO of the Sharks, was named the inaugural Major League Rugby Executive of the Year.
According to The Guardian, NOLA and Miami could reapply to play in 2027. The Sharks did ask to take one season off before returning to MLR in 2027, but that request was denied.
8 TO 7?
According to an article in The Guardian, the Utah Warriors, one of the founding MLR members are also seeking new investment – “a process CEO Kimball Kjar last week told the Guardian was “a heavy lift” but going well.”
2026 SEASON AS OF AUGUST 14:
The eight remaining teams are, as of today, Anthem RC (2024 - Present), California Legion (2025 - Present), Chicago Hounds (2023 - Present), Houston SaberCats (2018 - Present), New England Free Jackets (2020 - Present), Old Glory DC (2020 - Present), Seattle Seawolves (2018 - Present), and Utah Warriors (2018 - Present). MLR was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Dallas. The league began its first season in 2018 with seven teams. The league grew to 13 teams in 2022, with one team playing in Canada.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW:
We have reached out to MLR media contacts multiple times to inquire if there will be a 2026 season, which teams are confirmed, how players and staff of teams that have withdrawn are being supported, what sort of partnerships MLR is seeking, and to know if there plans for new clubs.