Major League Rugby is looking for its next chapter, and that could eventually mean bringing professional rugby to new cities across North America.
The professional rugby union league, which launched in 2018, has experienced a difficult period of contraction. Eleven teams competed in 2025, but that number dropped to six in 2026. Now, with five established franchises remaining, MLR is preparing for 2027 under a new ownership structure intended to stabilize the competition and create a foundation for future expansion.
So, are new teams coming? Possibly. But where, when and how many remain unanswered questions.
New England Free Jacks owner Errik Anderson discussed those possibilities during a recent appearance on MLR Weekly, revealing that league officials have held conversations with prospective ownership groups in multiple markets. Indianapolis, Kansas City, Sacramento and Nashville were among the cities raised during the interview, and Anderson expressed interest in all four.
"I like all of those places," Anderson said.
That doesn't mean any of them have been awarded a franchise. Anderson stressed that MLR is focused on establishing a sustainable business model rather than rushing new teams into the competition. The league is planning around five franchises for 2027, although additional teams remain a possibility.
With the United States preparing to host the 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup, there's plenty of reason to imagine what professional rugby could look like across North America in the years ahead.
Watch MLR Weekly: Errik Anderson Discusses Expansion And The League's Future
Anderson and MLR Weekly got the expansion conversation started, so we decided to take it a little further. From former MLR markets looking for a second chance to cities with untapped rugby potential, here are 10 places we'd love to see join the league.
How Many Teams Does Major League Rugby Have?
Major League Rugby competed with six teams in 2026, but five established franchises remain heading into 2027:
Chicago Hounds
California Legion
New England Free Jacks
Old Glory DC
Seattle Seawolves
The league is exploring expansion under a new ownership structure, but no additional franchises or launch dates have been officially confirmed.
1. Kansas City, Missouri: Bring Rugby To Chiefs Kingdom
Kansas City knows how to support a sports team. Between the Chiefs, Sporting Kansas City and an established local rugby community, there's plenty to build upon.
The city also has a fan in New England Free Jacks owner Errik Anderson, who grew up in Kansas and specifically praised Kansas City during his MLR Weekly appearance.
Give Kansas City an appropriately sized stadium, committed ownership and a rivalry with the Chicago Hounds, and suddenly the Midwest rugby picture gets a lot more interesting.
The tailgates practically write themselves.
2. Sacramento, California: The Capital Already Knows MLR
Sacramento already has a taste of professional rugby.
The California Legion played at Heart Health Park during the 2026 season, giving the city firsthand experience hosting MLR competition. Northern California also boasts a strong collegiate rugby tradition, particularly at California and Saint Mary's.
The biggest obstacle? Sacramento already falls within the Legion's statewide footprint.
But if MLR eventually decides California can support multiple franchises, Sacramento has a head start over plenty of other potential markets.
3. Nashville, Tennessee: Music City Could Make Some Noise
Nashville has football, hockey, soccer and a reputation for knowing how to entertain a crowd. Why not rugby?
The city hosted an MLR matchup between Chicago and New England in 2026 and will welcome the USA Men's and Women's Eagles for an international doubleheader Oct. 24.
Those events offer a chance to build local interest in the sport, while Nashville's entertainment culture fits Anderson's vision of festival-style rugby matchdays.
And let's be serious. A Nashville rugby team would have absolutely no excuse for boring entrance music.
4. Indianapolis, Indiana: Another Sport For The Racing Capital
Indianapolis knows how to host major sporting events, from the Indianapolis 500 to national championships.
The city also has an existing rugby community, including the Indianapolis Impalas, and was among the potential markets mentioned during Anderson's interview.
An Indianapolis franchise could strengthen MLR's Midwest presence while creating a natural regional rivalry with Chicago.
The Colts have Sundays. The Indy 500 has Memorial Day weekend.
Surely there's room on the calendar for a little rugby.
5. Toronto, Ontario: Canada Deserves Another Chance
Toronto has unfinished business with Major League Rugby.
The Toronto Arrows joined MLR in 2019 and reached the playoffs in their inaugural season before ceasing operations in 2023, leaving Canada without a franchise.
Anderson expressed interest in bringing Canadian rugby back into the league during his podcast appearance, although questions about ownership and player eligibility remain.
Toronto offers an established rugby community, a large metropolitan market and previous MLR experience.
With the right investors and a sustainable business plan, we'd love to see the Arrows' former home get another shot.
6. Vancouver, British Columbia: Give Seattle A Cross-Border Rival
Imagine the Seattle Seawolves traveling north for a showdown with Vancouver.
British Columbia has a longstanding rugby tradition, supported by established clubs and collegiate programs, including the University of British Columbia.
A Vancouver franchise could provide another professional pathway for Canadian players while creating an immediate Pacific Northwest rivalry.
There would be ownership, stadium and international-player questions to resolve, but few potential expansion cities offer such a natural geographic matchup.
A little cross-border rugby rivalry sounds pretty good to us.
7. Denver, Colorado: Bring Professional Rugby Back To RugbyTown
Denver has already experienced Major League Rugby.
The Colorado Raptors were among the league's original franchises before withdrawing in 2020. Their former home, Infinity Park in Glendale, remains closely associated with the area's RugbyTown USA identity.
That existing infrastructure and rugby history make Denver an intriguing comeback candidate.
A new franchise would need to avoid the financial challenges that have affected previous MLR organizations, but the foundation is there.
RugbyTown without a Major League Rugby team? That feels like unfinished business.
8. Austin, Texas: Time For A Second Act?
Austin's first MLR chapter ended when the Austin Gilgronis were excluded from the 2023 season.
But the city still has an established rugby community, a growing professional sports landscape and previous experience hosting the league.
A new franchise would need fresh ownership and a sustainable business model rather than simply reviving the old organization.
Still, with Austin FC demonstrating the city's appetite for live sports and rugby already having roots in the region, another attempt could be intriguing.
Everything's bigger in Texas. Why not the rugby ambitions?
9. St. Louis, Missouri: A Midwest Rivalry Waiting To Happen
St. Louis already knows how to rally around professional sports, from the Cardinals and Blues to St. Louis CITY SC.
The city also has an established rugby community and could help strengthen MLR's presence in the Midwest.
A St. Louis franchise would create another potential regional rivalry with Chicago and, perhaps someday, Kansas City.
The challenge would be standing out in a crowded sports market, but Anderson's emphasis on community engagement and memorable matchdays could offer a blueprint.
Besides, the Midwest could always use another reason to argue about sports.
10. Portland, Maine: The Wild Card With A Rugby Dream
Here's our wild card.
Portland's rugby community celebrated the opening of a new Field of Dreams facility in August 2026, adding dedicated infrastructure for the sport.
The project came up during Anderson's MLR Weekly interview, although he suggested pre-professional rugby might be a more realistic next step than an immediate MLR franchise.
Still, Portland represents something important: a smaller community investing in rugby from the ground up.
And if Maine ever gets a professional franchise, imagine the rivalry with the New England Free Jacks.
Small city. Big ambitions.
Watch MLR Weekly On FloRugby
Watch MLR Weekly: New England Owner Errik Anderson On Expansion & Future for the full conversation about the league's ownership changes, potential expansion markets, Canadian rugby and the future of professional rugby in North America.
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