From a single try-filled opening match in 2018 to a league-wide 28% surge in youth attendance by 2023, Major League Rugby’s journey from ambitious startup to America’s premier professional rugby competition has been fueled by explosive growth, on-field drama, and a rapidly expanding fan base.
Key Takeaways
- Major League Rugby was founded on December 6, 2017, by a group of American rugby executives including Peter Horne and Mike Miller
- The inaugural MLR season kicked off on April 28, 2018, with Glendale Raptors defeating San Diego Legion 24-17
- In 2018, seven teams participated in the first MLR season: Atlanta Silverbacks, Austin Elite, Glendale Raptors, Houston SaberCats, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves, and Toronto Wolfpack (later Arrows)
- Seattle Seawolves won the Western Conference regular season title in 2018 with 7 wins out of 10 matches
- Glendale Raptors finished second in the 2018 regular season with 6 wins and 1 loss from 7 games played
- Houston SaberCats achieved a 5-2 record in 2018, qualifying for playoffs with strong defense conceding only 18.7 points per game average
- JP du Plessis of San Diego Legion holds the record for most points in a single season with 142 in 2019
- Macuin Boldron of LA Giltinis scored the most tries in 2021 with 12
- Nate Augspurger leads MLR in total appearances with 65 caps as of 2023
- The 2018 MLR season average attendance was 1,823 per match across 35 games
- Highest single game attendance in 2018 was 4,019 for Seattle Seawolves championship
- 2019 average attendance rose to 2,105 per game, up 15% from 2018
- MLR reported $25 million in annual revenue for 2023 fiscal year
- Average player salary in MLR rose to $45,000 per season in 2023
- Title sponsorship deal with AIG valued at $3 million over 3 years signed 2022
Major League Rugby grew quickly from seven teams in 2018 to a thriving twelve-team league.
Fan and Attendance Data
- The 2018 MLR season average attendance was 1,823 per match across 35 games
- Highest single game attendance in 2018 was 4,019 for Seattle Seawolves championship
- 2019 average attendance rose to 2,105 per game, up 15% from 2018
- LA Giltinis home games averaged 3,214 fans in 2021, highest in league
- Total 2021 season attendance reached 121,000 across 66 matches
- 2022 playoffs saw 12,500 total fans over 4 games, average 3,125 per game
- New England Free Jacks set home record 5,012 vs Old Glory in 2023
- 2023 regular season average attendance 2,891 per match, up 12% from 2022
- FloRugby streams averaged 25,000 peak viewers for 2023 championship
- Seattle Seawolves home opener 2024 drew 4,500 fans
- MLR social media followers grew to 250,000 on Instagram by end 2023
- 35% of 2023 attendees were first-time rugby viewers per survey
- Youth attendance under 18 tickets up 28% to 15,000 in 2023
- Female fans comprised 42% of total attendance in 2022 season
- MLR YouTube channel reached 1 million views in 2023 highlights
- Merchandise sales at games hit $450,000 in 2023
- Season ticket holders increased 22% to 8,500 memberships in 2024
- Peak TV viewership 45,000 for 2021 championship on CBSSN
- MLR app downloads reached 100,000 by 2023
- Road game attendance averaged 2,100 in 2023, up from 1,800 in 2022
Fan and Attendance Data Interpretation
While Major League Rugby is still leagues away from filling NFL stadiums, the league is methodically and undeniably scrumming its way toward mainstream relevance, fueled by surging local attendance, a young and increasingly diverse fanbase, and a growing digital footprint that's proving this isn't just a niche sport for expats anymore.
Financial and Business Stats
- MLR reported $25 million in annual revenue for 2023 fiscal year
- Average player salary in MLR rose to $45,000 per season in 2023
- Title sponsorship deal with AIG valued at $3 million over 3 years signed 2022
- Ticket revenue accounted for 28% of total income in 2022 at $4.2 million
- Broadcasting rights with FloRugby worth $2.5 million annually as of 2023
- Merchandise and licensing generated $1.8 million in 2023, up 35% YoY
- Team franchise fees averaged $500,000 per expansion team in 2023
- Sponsorship portfolio grew to 45 partners in 2023, contributing $8 million
- MLR secured $15 million investment round in 2021 led by private equity
- Average home game gate receipts $25,000 per team in 2023
- Player development budget increased to $2 million league-wide in 2024
- Concession sales per fan averaged $12.50 at 2023 games
- MLR valuation estimated at $100 million by end 2023
- Premium seating revenue up 40% to $1.2 million in 2023
- Digital ad revenue from streams $750,000 in 2023
- League payroll total $12 million for 2023 season across 12 teams
- Expansion fees for Chicago Hounds set at $750,000 in 2022
- Corporate box sales generated $900,000 in 2023 playoffs
- MLR cost per acquisition for new fans $15 via digital campaigns 2023
Financial and Business Stats Interpretation
While the MLR’s balance sheet is starting to look like a respectable rugby scrum, their financials show they're still in the development phase where most of the money comes from sponsors and investors rather than from packed stands or lucrative broadcasts.
Historical Milestones
- Major League Rugby was founded on December 6, 2017, by a group of American rugby executives including Peter Horne and Mike Miller
- The inaugural MLR season kicked off on April 28, 2018, with Glendale Raptors defeating San Diego Legion 24-17
- In 2018, seven teams participated in the first MLR season: Atlanta Silverbacks, Austin Elite, Glendale Raptors, Houston SaberCats, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves, and Toronto Wolfpack (later Arrows)
- The 2018 MLR Championship was won by Seattle Seawolves who defeated Glendale Raptors 43-25 on August 11, 2018, in Seattle
- MLR announced expansion to nine teams for 2019, adding Old Glory DC and New England Free Jacks
- The 2019 season saw Seattle Seawolves repeat as champions, beating San Diego Legion 26-23 in the final on July 27, 2019
- Due to COVID-19, the entire 2020 MLR season was canceled on March 15, 2020
- MLR returned in 2021 with 11 teams after Rugby United New York joined
- The 2021 MLR Shield was awarded to the LA Giltinis who finished with a 11-5 record
- LA Giltinis won the 2021 MLR Championship 35-23 over Atlas FC on July 31, 2021
- In 2022, MLR expanded to 12 teams with the addition of Dallas Jackals
- Rugby New York Ironworkers (formerly RUNY) won the 2022 Eastern Conference regular season with 9 wins
- New England Free Jacks claimed the 2023 MLR Championship defeating San Diego Legion 25-24 on July 23, 2023
- MLR announced the addition of Chicago Hounds for the 2023 season, bringing total to 12 teams
- The league's first international broadcast deal was signed with FloRugby in 2018
- MLR's first player draft was held on January 5, 2019, selecting 36 players
- In 2022, MLR introduced the "Rookie of the Year" award, won by Nathan Ryan of Houston SaberCats
- MLR signed its first major apparel deal with Canterbury in 2019 for official kits
- The league's attendance record was set in 2023 with 5,012 fans at a New England Free Jacks game vs. Old Glory DC
- MLR hosted its first All-Star match in 2022 between East and West teams
- In 2024, MLR announced plans for 14 teams by 2025 with Miami and Indianapolis expansions
- Seattle Seawolves hold the record for most championship appearances with 3 (2018,2019,2022)
- The longest unbeaten streak in MLR history is 10 matches by LA Giltinis in 2021
- MLR's first player to reach 50 caps was JP du Plessis of San Diego Legion in 2022
- The league celebrated its 100th match on May 15, 2022, between Houston SaberCats and Austin Gilgronis
- In 2019, MLR introduced video referee technology for playoffs
- MLR's first women's international test hosted was USA vs Canada in 2022 as double-header
- The 2023 season featured the highest points total in a single match with 92 points (Rugby New York 59-33 Chicago Hounds)
- MLR launched its official academy program in 2021 with 6 regional academies
- The first MLR player to be called up to national team mid-season was Takaya Lutz for Canada in 2019
Historical Milestones Interpretation
Like a scrappy but ambitious underdog, Major League Rugby has proven resilient by surviving COVID's cancellation, expanding from seven to fourteen teams, and crowning five different champions in its first six seasons, all while setting attendance records and launching academies to build American rugby from the ground up.
Player Records
- JP du Plessis of San Diego Legion holds the record for most points in a single season with 142 in 2019
- Macuin Boldron of LA Giltinis scored the most tries in 2021 with 12
- Nate Augspurger leads MLR in total appearances with 65 caps as of 2023
- Carlo de Nysschen of Houston SaberCats kicked 78% success rate in 2022 with 112 points
- Hamish Dal house of New England Free Jacks has most assists with 28 in 2023 season
- Ruben de Haas of Austin Elite leads in passes completed with 1,456 career total
- Conner Buckley of Chicago Hounds made 245 tackles in 2023, most in a season
- Timothoy O'Meara of Old Glory DC won most turnovers with 34 in 2022
- Salesi Nanai of Seattle Seawolves scored fastest hat-trick in 8 minutes vs Toronto 2021
- Dom Jones of Rugby New York holds single game try record with 4 vs Chicago 2023
- Bryce Campbell of Dallas Jackals led meters gained in 2023 with 1,234 meters
- Mark Stewart of Atlanta kicked longest penalty 58 meters in 2022
- Ben LeSage of Houston has most career tries with 35 as of 2024
- Alex Lopeti of San Diego Legion perfect 100% kicking in 5/5 attempts in 2023 final
- Sean McMahon of LA Giltinis most offloads in season with 42 in 2021
- Maxime Heron's New England steals 28 lineouts won against throw in 2022
- Luke Campbell of Toronto Arrows most carries in a game 28 vs Seattle 2019
- Christian Pozi of Glendale most dominant tackles 15 in 2023 match
- Andrew Ferguson of Austin drop goal record holder with 4 career
- Tomas Krabbe of Old Glory most rucks hit 156 in 2023
- Nick Civetta career leader in captaincies with 42 games as captain for Rugby NY
Player Records Interpretation
While JP du Plessis was calmly stockpiling points and Nate Augspurger was dutifully collecting caps, the rest of MLR was engaged in a glorious, chaotic arms race of record-breaking tackles, steals, hat-tricks, and heroic kicks, proving that rugby excellence is a wonderfully diverse and specialized madness.
Team Achievements
- Seattle Seawolves won the Western Conference regular season title in 2018 with 7 wins out of 10 matches
- Glendale Raptors finished second in the 2018 regular season with 6 wins and 1 loss from 7 games played
- Houston SaberCats achieved a 5-2 record in 2018, qualifying for playoffs with strong defense conceding only 18.7 points per game average
- San Diego Legion had the best away record in 2018 with 3 wins from 4 road games
- Atlanta Silverbacks struggled in 2018 with 1 win and 6 losses, scoring 15.3 points per game average
- Austin Elite recorded 2 wins in 2018, notable for their lineout success rate of 87%
- Toronto Arrows finished 2018 with 3 wins, leading the league in tackles made per game at 112.4
- In 2019, Seattle Seawolves dominated with 10 wins out of 16, averaging 32.1 points per game
- San Diego Legion reached the 2019 final with 8 wins, best scrum retention at 92%
- Old Glory DC, in their debut 2019 season, won 4 games including a 28-27 upset over Seattle
- New England Free Jacks had 6 wins in 2019, with top maul success rate of 89%
- Rugby United New York debuted in 2021 with 4 wins, strong in set-piece with 85% lineout retention
- LA Giltinis won 11 of 16 games in 2021, leading league in tries scored with 78
- Austin Gilgronis had 7 wins in 2021 before championship disqualification, best kicking accuracy 81%
- In 2022, Rugby New York Ironworkers topped East with 9 wins, conceding fewest points at 18.2 per game
- Seattle Seawolves reached 2022 final with 8 wins, top in ruck speed under 3 seconds 78% of time
- Houston SaberCats finished 2022 with 6 wins, leading in penalties won at 14.3 per game
- Old Glory DC improved to 7 wins in 2022, with best turnover rate at 22%
- New England Free Jacks won 2023 championship with 8 regular season wins, top in gainline success 62%
- San Diego Legion made 2023 final with 9 wins, leading league in carries per game at 145.2
- Chicago Hounds in debut 2023 had 3 wins, notable for 84% scrum win rate
- Dallas Jackals achieved 5 wins in 2023, with highest tackle completion 89.1%
- Atlanta Brave Selves (formerly Silverbacks) had 4 wins in 2023, improving defense to 24.7 points conceded avg
- In 2024 season opener, New England Free Jacks beat Chicago Hounds 47-17
- Seattle Seawolves top Western Conference early 2024 with 4 wins from 5
Team Achievements Interpretation
The data reveals that while championships are won with flashy offenses and clutch playoff performances, the true, often unsung, bedrock of Major League Rugby is built on the relentless grind of set-piece precision, defensive stinginess, and the raw, percentage-based hustle of winning the little battles in the rucks, mauls, and tackles that quietly stack up over a season.
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