The Houston SaberCats are out of Major League Rugby (MLR). After eight seasons of MLR, the Houston Sabercats have pulled-out of competing in MLR 2026. The official Page of Houston’s professional rugby team released the following statement:
The decision from the Houston Saber Cats means Major League Rugby is officially down four teams for the MLR 2026 season. Tumultuous recent months have brought changes with the Houston SaberCats joining Miami Sharks and NOLA Gold in being out of MLR 2026. In addition, the teams based in Los Angeles and San Diego will be merging to create a new franchise.
The Houston SaberCats were the Western Conference Champions of MLR 2025. In doing so, the Texans made history by reaching their first Western Conference title and made their first-ever appearance in a MLR Championship. Houston fell 28-22 to the New England Free Jacks in the 2025 Final.
The Miami Sharks debuted in MLR 2024 but will not be around for a third season. The Florida franchise reached the play-off’s in the 2025 season, falling to eventual champions the New England Free Jacks. Miami won 8 and lost 8 matches during the 2025 regular season.
The NOLA Gold had their best MLR season in 2024. The team lost the Eastern Conference Semi Final 45–21 against the Chicago Hounds. In MLR 2025 season, the NOLA Gold finished fifth in the Western Conference during the regular season with a record of 4 wins and 12 losses.
The San Diego Legion and RFC Los Angeles will compete as the California Legion in the 2026 season. The club will play home matches in San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County. The San Diego Legion was competitive in MLR 2024; yet, finished bottom of the Western Conference. The San Diego Legion were Semi Finalists in the inaugural MLR season and beaten finalists in 2019. The team were also finalists in MLR 2023.
RFC Los Angeles finished third in the Western Conference of MLR 2025. While playing as Rugby ATL, the franchise won the East Conference Final in MLR 2021 but lost the MLR Final against the defunct Los Angeles Giltinis.
A summary of former MLR competitors is as follows:
