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View of a first half play during the Major League Rugby playoff game between the Seattle Seawolves and San Diego Legion at Starfire Sports in Tukwila, Washington, United States.

10 Things To Know About The Major League Rugby (MLR)

Major League Rugby (MLR) was established in 2017 as an independent semi-professional rugby union league that is played by franchise clubs that are privately owned and for-profit. Thirteen teams competed in the 2022 season, including twelve American and one Canadian team.  The league is formally sanctioned by USA Rugby, a member union of Rugby Americas North (RAN), and as a result is a part of World Rugby even though it operates outside the control and supervision of the national governing body. 

1. Major League Rugby (MLR) Was Founded in the United States

North America’s Major League Rugby (MLR) is a relatively young professional rugby union league. It was formed in 2017, and within a short period of time it has increased in recognition and appeal both domestically and abroad. With teams from both the United States and Canada, it continues to grow rapidly, and plans are in place for its expansion in the years to come. It also attracts outstanding rugby players from all around the world and is quickly becoming a significant force in the world of rugby.

2. The League Currently Features 13 Teams From Across North America

The league has increased in the number of teams participating and in the current 2022-23 season there are 13 teams from both the United States and Canada. One of these teams is headquartered in Canada, and twelve of them are based in the United States.

The addition of new teams over the years has improved the league’s visibility and appeal and given rugby players from all around North America the chance to participate at a high level and display their skills.

3. The League Has A Strong Commitment To Player Welfare

Professional rugby player Mike Sosene-Feagai warming up for Old Glory DC, in their final match of the 2021 season. Author Alistair Poole.

Unlike many rugby leagues, player welfare makes MLR stand above the rest.  Over the years they have continued to review their strategies to make the league both competitive and attractive.  It is against this backdrop that they have designed and implemented a number of protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of its players. They vary from.- stringent concussion management procedures, regular injury assessments, to strict return-to-play guidelines. To compliment this efforts, the league has  also established a player welfare and safety committee that is tasked with overseeing these measures and ensure that they are strictly adhered to.

4. The League Has A Salary cap

As shown earlier, the MLR is run in a very professional manner with a lot of protocols put in place to ensure the smooth running of the game. One of the protocols is putting a salary cap which is designed to ensure that teams operate on a level playing field and that the league remains financially sustainable. At the moment the cap for the league is set at $750,000 per team per season.

5. The League Operates on A Franchise Model

An interesting factor about the MLR that you should know, is that it operates on a franchise model, with each team independently owned and operated. This means that each team is responsible for its own finances, marketing, and operations. The league provides a framework for competition and sets standards for player welfare and safety, but otherwise allows teams to operate with a high degree of autonomy. Borrowed fromother professional sports leagues in North America, the model has helped to ensure that teams are financially sustainable and can operate in a competitive market.

6. The regular season typically runs from late February to early June

A regular MLR season runs from late February to early June, with each team playing 16 regular-season games. after a season comes to an end, the top four teams advance to the playoffs, which are held in late June. The playoffs consist of two semifinal matches, followed by a championship match to determine the league champion.

This timing is strategic as it allows for optimal weather conditions and ensures that players have adequate time to rest and recover between matches.

7. The MLR Has A Unique Scoring System

Jason Robertson kicks a penalty goal for Old Glory DC at home against the New England Free Jacks in the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Author Alistair Poole.

The MLR is not a regular rugby league kind of play. It has a unique scoring system that differs slightly from the scoring system used in other rugby competitions around the world.  In this league, a try is worth five points, which is consistent with the scoring system used in international rugby. The only difference comes in the penalty kicks and drop goals which are worth three points, as compared to the other leagues’ two points. Conversions are worth two points, which is consistent with the scoring system used in international rugby. This helps to distinguish the MLR from other professional rugby competitions around the world.

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8. The League’s Games Are Broadcast On A Variety Of Platforms

Broadcast. Photo by Joshua Hanson on

The MLR has been successful in winning partnerships with some of the leading sports broadcasters. Among the partners are  CBS Sports, Fox Sports, and ESPN+. These broadcasters play an important role as they help the league reach a wider audience by providing fans who are not able to be physically present during games, with a range of options for watching live games. On top this, they also a streaming service called “The Rugby Network,” which offers fans live games coverage, highlights, and updates.

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9. Several MLR Players Have Gone On To Represent Their Countries At The International Level

Danny Tusitala playing scrumhalf for Old Glory DC at home against Rugby United New York in Major League Rugby’s 2021 season. Author Alistair Poole.

The MLR is so attractive that it serves as a nurturing hub for international rugby players. Due to its organization, several players from this league have gone ahead to  represent their countries at the international level. One notable example is Blaine Scully, who captained the USA Eagles during his time in the MLR. 

This has helped to raise the profile of rugby in North America, and has attracted the attention of fans and scouts from around the world.

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10. The League Has Implemented A Number Of Innovative Initiatives

Apart from the protocols, the league has also come up with innovative initiatives aimed at incrasing its scope and relevance. One of these is the use of referee microphones, which allow fans to hear the referee’s instructions and calls during the game. This has helped to improve transparency and understanding of the rules.

We can also talk about the use of live player audio during broadcasts. This gives an opportunity to fans to hear the on-field conversations and interactions between players and coaches.  

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Being a dynamic and rapidly growing professional rugby league with player welfare and innovative initiatives the MLR should be able to provide all the rugby enthusiasts with a unique experience that is worth investing in.