Major League Rugby reveals details for relocated Atlanta club
Major League Rugby has confirmed that Rugby ATL will be relocating to California for the 2024 season and will now be known as Rugby FC Los Angeles. The rebranded outfit will be the second MLR club in Los Angeles, following the LA Giltinis, and signifies a significant step for the league.
Rugby FC Los Angeles will be based at the Dignity Health Sports Park in suburban Carson, California, a 27,000-seat venue and home to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy. The club’s history dates back to 2019 when it was founded by the Calloway family in Atlanta. However, it has undergone an ownership change and a subsequent uprooting to LA, courtesy of a new group comprised of leaders in the sports and entertainment industry.
The time has come.
Welcome home @RugbyFCLA 🏟️
MLR’s newest team takes the pitch for #MLR2024 on March 3rd.
Read more: https://t.co/PPH1vRBoIs pic.twitter.com/RBqFeaLTF1
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) December 21, 2023
The team will be led by head coach Stephen Brett, a former Māori All Black with an extensive professional playing career, including six Super Rugby seasons with the Crusaders (2006-09) and Blues (2010-11).
Despite the relocation, Brett will continue to spearhead the club, bringing with him the experience of leading Rugby ATL over the past two seasons. Rugby FC Los Angeles achieved its best-ever finish in MLR while in Atlanta in 2021 when it won the Eastern Conference before eventually losing in the playoff final to the Giltinis.
Pete Sickle, the CEO of Rugby FC Los Angeles, expressed his enthusiasm about bringing Major League Rugby back to Los Angeles.
“Under the head coaching leadership of Steve Brett, RFCLA will serve as another incredible professional sports asset to the West Coast,” Sickle said.
“We look forward to partnering with AEG and others to foster the growth of the game of rugby on a more elevated level in the Greater Los Angeles community.”
Rugby FC Los Angeles unveils a refreshed logo, featuring new colours and incorporating a symbolic tribute to both Los Angeles and Atlanta. The club’s participation in the 2024 MLR season has been confirmed, with its first match scheduled against the Utah Warriors at home on March 3 at 10 pm (ET).
Among the more noteworthy players currently on the club’s books are former Queensland Reds prop Dane Zander and ex-Highlanders centre Jason Emery.
As RFCLA prepares to embark on this new journey, further details about the club, including the roster and coaching staff, are anticipated to be announced prior to the start of the season. The announcement of Rugby FC Los Angeles as a participant in the upcoming season serves as a testament to the growing interest and investment in rugby in the United States.
Image credit: Rugby ATL
