LA MLR Team Officially Ready to Play
LA MLR Team Officially Ready to Play
Contrary to implications posted in GRR, the Atlanta-LA sale in Major League Rugby did indeed go through and Rugby FC Los Angeles will kick off in the 2024 season.
They are already in the schedule here>>
The team will be playing at AEG's Dignity Health Sports Park, which is also the home of the LA Sevens tournament.
RFCLA’s new ownership group is composed of leaders in the sports and entertainment space with deep roots in Los Angeles who are looking to strengthen an already robust rugby community and fan base on the West Coast.
“We are excited to bring Major League Rugby back to Los Angeles,” said Pete Sickle, CEO of RFCLA and the co-founder of the Tel Aviv Heat, the first professional rugby club in Israel. “Under the head coaching leadership of Steve Brett, RFCLA will serve as another incredible professional sports asset to the West Coast. 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.”
RFCLA has moved from Atlanta after the sale of Rugby ATL by the Calloway family to a new ownership group.
“Although the team may look different in a new city, we are honored to build off the incredible legacy of the Calloways while creating something special in Los Angeles,” said Sickle.
The Greater Los Angeles area is a thriving and growing rugby community where the spirit of the game runs deep, particularly with several robust youth and junior programs. With an impressive lineup of more than 40 vibrant youth and high school clubs, as well as a dedicated community of more than 10,000 elementary and junior high flag rugby enthusiasts, the return of MLR to the City of Angels is poised to be met with a warm and enthusiastic reception.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Rugby FC Los Angeles to Major League Rugby. Los Angeles has a long and rich history in our sport and one of the most robust grassroots programs in the country, and a return to L.A. is a significant step for our league as we prepare to embark on the 2024 season,” said Nic Benson, CEO of MLR. “We’re grateful for the vision and leadership of Los Angeles’s new ownership group, as they seek to grow the game in one of our nation’s most iconic cities.”
The new team name of Rugby FC Los Angeles comes with a new team mark and color scheme. RFCLA’s new logo celebrates L.A.’s iconic art-deco style, while also giving a nod to the strong and mighty oak tree as the mark is outlined by an acorn. A stylized "L" is incorporated into the “A” for a sleek and clean look, while also paying tribute to the team’s original city of Atlanta. The new team colors include various hues of blue and yellow to embrace the energetic Los Angeles community and its vibrant culture rooted in sea and sun.
The 2024 season schedule was unveiled by MLR on Dec. 18, with RFCLA hosting the Utah Warriors on March 3 for its first match on the West Coast. RFCLA fans will be able to pre-purchase season tickets for home matches at DHSP online, as well as learn more about the 2024 roster, the full coaching staff, and more.
LA kicks off their season at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, March 3 at 7PM after the LA Sevens is concluded the same weekend. See more about SVNS LAX here>>
