Major League Rugby Crisis: Utah Warriors Exit Leaves Just Six Teams
In a shocking development, the Utah Warriors have withdrawn from Major League Rugby, leaving the league with a mere six teams for the upcoming 2026 season. This move has sent shockwaves through the rugby community and left fans wondering about the future of the league.
The Utah Warriors, one of the founding franchises, had a stellar 2025 season, topping the Western Conference. They were a fan favorite, consistently drawing large crowds, along with the San Diego Legion and Seattle Seawolves. In fact, these three teams are the only ones to have ever attracted crowds in the five-figure range.
Last season, Major League Rugby boasted 11 teams, but now, it's a much smaller competition. The remaining teams include the reigning champions, New England Freejacks, Old Glory DC, Seattle Seawolves, Chicago Hounds, Anthem RC from Charlotte, and the newly merged California Legion.
The Warriors' decision to suspend operations follows a similar move by the Houston SaberCats, Miami Sharks, and NOLA Gold ahead of the 2026 season. This is a devastating blow to the MLR and its dedicated fans, who will now have to seek refunds for their season tickets.
Kimball Kjar, the Utah Warriors' CEO and co-founder, shared the news in an open letter, stating, "Up until recently, we were fully committed to the 2026 season. However, circumstances changed rapidly over the past week, and as of today, we've informed the league of our decision to suspend club operations."
But here's where it gets controversial... With the departure of the Warriors and other teams, the future of Major League Rugby is uncertain. Will the league be able to recover and rebuild? Or is this the beginning of a downward spiral? And this is the part most people miss: the impact on the players and their careers. What does this mean for the current Eagles squad and other talented athletes?
As we navigate this uncertain future, one thing is clear: the rugby community is resilient, and we will continue to support our favorite sport. But what are your thoughts? Do you think the MLR can bounce back, or is this the beginning of the end? Share your opinions and let's discuss the future of rugby in the comments!
