Major League Rugby Expands to Charlotte


This past week, Major League Rugby (MLR) awarded an expansion team to Charlotte, North Carolina.  The team will begin play this season and will be known as Anthem Rugby Carolina (RC) and will play its home games at American Legion Memorial Stadium. 

The club’s inaugural roster features players from various MLR teams who are eligible to participate on behalf of the U.S. in international competition. The addition of Anthem RC also brings back the two-conference approach the league has relied on the past few seasons.

Anthem RC's addition to the MLR will give the league 12 teams divided into two conferences.

Adding Charlotte along with the Miami Sharks is welcome news for the MLR, which had a tumultuous offseason as both the Toronto Arrows and Rugby New York folded to sink the league to as low as 11 teams.  The two new teams join the Chicago Hounds, Dallas Jackals, Houston Sabercats, New England Free Jacks, NOLA Gold, Old Glory DC, Rugby FC Los Angeles, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves and Utah Warriors.  The MLR is entering its sixth season in 2024.

Anthem RC's first game is scheduled for March 3 in Charlotte against the league's defending champion New England Free Jacks.

For more on the MLR:  Home - Major League Rugby


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