MLR Announces 2024 Schedule – 18 Week Regular Season Starting March 2nd
Major League Rugby has announced its 2024 schedule which starts on March 2nd. The regular season is 18 weeks and then the top 8 teams will start the playoff round in July.
There are 11 teams in the league this year with the Toronto Arrows and New York Ironworkers dropping out of the league.
The Week 1 schedule sees New Orleans host Old Glory, Houston host New England, Miami host Chicago, Seattle host San Diego, and LA host Utah. The MLR schedule page is here.
Even though the Arrows have ceased operation in the league there are a number of Canadians in the MLR rosters. Lucas Rumball, Jason Higgins, Mason Flesch have gone to Chicago. The new Miami franchise has Tyler Wong, Shane O’Leary. Defending champions New England have Foster Dewitt, Andrew Quattrin, Cole Keith, Conor Young, Kyle Baillie, Conor Keys, Josh Larsen, Ethan Fryer, Piers von Dadelszen, Gabe Casey, Ben Lesage, Isaac Olson. Dallas has Liam Murray, Dewald Kotze, Kyle Steeves, Brock Gallagher. New Orleans have Callum Botchar. Old Glory have Cali Martinez, Logan Weidner, Gradyn Bowd. San Diego have Djustice Sears-Duru. Seattle have Scott Bowers, Nakai Penny, Reid Watkins. Utah have Emerson Prior, Sam Reimer, Rob Povey, Noah Bain, Spencer Jones.
from MLR
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.