MLR, World Rugby, USA Rugby forge historic partnership

Charlotte-based expansion club will be committed to U.S. national team development and will compete in 2024 MLR season

DALLAS, TX (January 19, 2024) – Major League Rugby (MLR), which represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America, is pleased to officially announce a comprehensive partnership between the league, World Rugby and USA Rugby to launch a new expansion club in Charlotte, N.C. Anthem Rugby Carolina (RC) will join the competition in the 2024 season, with American Legion Memorial Stadium serving as its home.

MLR is focused on growth of rugby in the U.S. and driving a positive, innovative evolution for the game. Defined by a series of new partnerships and strategic expansions that will bring the game to more people across the country, MLR’s latest initiative with World Rugby and USA Rugby has the potential to be a transformative moment for the sport in the U.S., all leading to North America hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2031.

This innovative partnership between the governing bodies for global and American rugby, as well as North America’s premier professional rugby league, represents a significant investment and collaboration in the growth and development of the game in the U.S. The team will predominantly be made up of the most exciting young American talent available and will solidify MLR as the primary pathway for America’s best rugby players who have aspirations to play for their country.

MLR has previously collaborated with USA Rugby to support the USA Hawks, an initiative focused on helping young American players and USA-qualified prospects to grow as rugby players, via a dedicated performance pathway. Anthem RC, through the relationship with World Rugby and USA Rugby, will greatly further that high performance objective by investing in the long-term progress of the USA Eagles, the national men’s rugby team of the U.S, in advance of qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and 2031 tournament on home soil.

“The new club is a gamechanger for American rugby and will create new pathways for player development and grassroots participation, building on the outstanding foundation our teams have forged during the past seven years.” said Nic Benson, Commissioner of MLR. “We’re grateful to the leadership of both World Rugby and USA Rugby for their partnership in this endeavor as we work towards our shared goal of a record breaking 2031 World Cup on US soil. Charlotte is one of the best sports cities in the country, with a passionate fan base for everything from basketball to soccer, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring home its first professional rugby franchise. There already is a great rugby community in Charlotte, and I’m excited to introduce this sport to new fans across the Carolinas.”

USA Rugby CEO, Ross Young added, “This remarkable collaboration between MLR, USA Rugby and World Rugby is an inspiring example of progress we can look forward to as rugby in America begins a new trajectory. The Charlotte program provides a truly unique opportunity for accelerated development with USA Rugby High Performance while continuing to bolster MLR as a key pathway for the USA Men’s Eagles. The level of teamwork that has occurred across all parties to bring this project to life is unprecedented and we’re thrilled to see it on a rugby pitch this year.”

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin hailed the development as a major milestone in an overall strategy to grow rugby competitiveness and interest in the USA ahead of home Rugby World Cups. “Working with strategic partners in the USA, and backed by our Executive Board, we are activating a transformative and long-term growth plan for rugby in the US that will enable a great sporting nation, and the sport as a whole, to unlock the true potential of hosting men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 respectively.

“This ambitious plan is centered around making the sport more relevant and accessible to more people in the US, a nation that loves sport and events, anchored in entertainment. In addition to accelerating the clear potential of women’s rugby and cementing sevens in USA sports culture, we must sustainably grow the elite men’s game and for the USA Eagles national team to be successful on the world stage.

“Today’s announcement is a major milestone to achieving that. Coupled with long-term global calendar certainty, our investment, along with our partners, will provide an opportunity for a well-supported high performance pathway geared towards achieving results on the world stage. This type of partnership has proven successful for RWC 2023 quarter-finalists Fiji with the establishment of the Drua, and we are excited about the huge potential of Anthem RC, not just as a pathway, but as a major franchise within a long-term vision for MLR success, shared by all stakeholders.”

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 embraces the concept of rising stars throughout its brand, symbolic of the efforts of the new club to invest and grow American rugby. Inspired by the U.S. national anthem, it also features distinct connections to the Charlotte community by drawing from its rich military heritage and incorporating a recognizable color palette that draws from the smoky tones of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

For more information on the team, schedule and tickets go to anthemrc.com.

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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.

About USA Rugby

Established in 1975, USA Rugby is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of rugby in America and a Full Sport Member of World Rugby and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Currently headquartered in Glendale, Colorado, USA Rugby is charged with developing the game on all levels with nearly 100,000 active members across the Youth, High School, College, Adult Club and National Team levels. USA Rugby oversees four national teams, multiple age-grade programs and an emerging Olympic development pathway for elite athletes. In 2031 and 2033, USA Rugby will welcome the world for the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cup, the pinnacle event in the sport and third largest in the word. Visit usa.rugby for more information.

Media Contact:

Johnathan McGinty

On behalf of Major League Rugby

johnathan@trestlecollective.com

Calder Cahill

USA Rugby

ccahill@usa.rugby