California Legion

Last updated

California Legion
Logo of California Legion.png
FoundedJuly 30, 2025;2 months ago (July 30, 2025) [1]
Location
Region Southern California
Ground
(Capacity: 6,000)
CEO Adam Freier [1]
League Major League Rugby
2026 TBD
Official website
legion.rugby

The California Legion is a professional rugby union team that compete in the Major League Rugby (MLR). The team is based in Southern California, United States and was established in July 2025 following a merger between two former Southern Californian MLR teams: San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles. [1] [2] [3] Its inaugural season is scheduled to be in the 2026 Major League Rugby. [1]

Background

During the months after the 2025 Major League Rugby season four teams from across the league had merged or disbanded. Beginning with the July 30 announcement of a merger between San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles of Southern California, [1] [2] [4] the same day New Orleans Gold announced it would not take part in the 2026 season. [2] [5] [4] Less than two months later, in September 2025 another MLR franchise, the Houston Sabercats, also announced they would not be taking part in the 2026 season. [6]

The San Diego Legion, for which the California Legion's logo is based on, [1] were a foundation team for the Major League Rugby (MLR). During their tenure they achieved one conference title, and made two Championship Final appearances (2019, [7] 2023). [8] The Rugby Football Club Los Angeles was established in late 2023 after being relocated from Atlanta. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Finley, Ryan (July 30, 2025). "San Diego Legion, L.A. club merge; new rugby team will play throughout SoCal". The San Diego Union-Tribune . Digital First Media. Archived from the original on October 7, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Carosella, Vitas (August 7, 2025). "Major League Rugby Bullish About Rugby In U.S. Despite Clubs Folding". Forbes . Archived from the original on October 7, 2025.
  3. ↑ Morton, Finn (July 30, 2025). "MLR confirms major shake-up impacting one of its biggest clubs". RugbyPass . Archived from the original on September 5, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Major League Rugby Down Two Teams for MLR 2026 Season". Americas Rugby News. July 30, 2025. Archived from the original on October 7, 2025.
  5. ↑ Urquhart, Spencer (July 31, 2025). "NOLA Gold future uncertain after competing in Major League Rugby for 8 seasons". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate .
  6. ↑ Young, Matt (September 12, 2025). "Houston SaberCats, the city's pro rugby team, will not compete in Major League Rugby in 2026". Houston Chronicle . Hearst Communications.
  7. ↑ Leonard, Tod (July 6, 2018). "In San Diego for title match, Major League Rugby reflects on inaugural season, future". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Digital First Media. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024.
  8. ↑ Sandalow, Brian (July 8, 2023). "MLR hoping championship match in Bridgeview is a celebration of rugby". Chicago Sun-Times . Chicago Public Media. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023.
  9. ↑ Snowden, Scott (December 21, 2023). "Los Angeles Major League Rugby team name, logo and roster revealed". Santa Monica Daily Press .
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