Major League Rugby announces early season CBS and FOX Sports national television schedule

DALLAS – Major League Rugby (MLR), CBS and FOX Sports today announced the national television schedule for the first month of the 2021 season. The premier North American rugby league, entering its fourth season, will televise its matches beginning the weekend of March 20 on CBS Sports Network, FS1 and FS2 with the Championship Final to be held August 1, broadcast nationally on CBS Sports.

Opening weekend of the 16-game regular season will feature the Houston SaberCats hosting the Seattle Seawolves from Aveva Stadium on CBS Sports Network at 8:00 p.m. ET. The game will be preceded by the FS2 telecast of NOLA Gold (New Orleans) squaring off against the New England Free Jacks at 4:00 p.m. ET from The Shrine on Airline (Metairie, Louisiana).

“Having strong television partners like CBS Sports and FOX Sports is a major element of the growth of MLR,” said MLR Commissioner George Killebrew. “With expanded coverage on the CBS Sports and FOX Sports national networks FS1 and FS2, we’ll be able to bring our fans the rugby coverage they expect but also introduce our sport to entirely new fans this season.”

“We are excited to showcase another season of fast-paced Major League Rugby action on CBS Sports,” said Dan Weinberg, EVP, Programming, CBS Sports. “As lead broadcast partner, CBS Sports Network will televise marquee matches throughout the season, including the semifinals, culminating with the Championship Final on CBS in August.”

“We are thrilled to add a robust slate of Major League Rugby matches to FOX Sports’ extensive spring roster,” said Bill Wanger, Executive Vice President, Head of Programming and Scheduling, FOX Sports. “We are excited to showcase the best of professional North American rugby across our cable networks.”

The MLR national television schedule for the first month of the season:

Date Match Time (ET) Network
March 20 Old Glory DC at NOLA Gold 4:00 p.m. FS2
March 20 Seattle Seawolves at Houston SaberCats 8:00 p.m. CBSSN
March 27 Toronto Arrows at Utah Warriors 9:00 p.m. FS2
April 3 Utah Warriors at New England Free Jacks 4:00 p.m. CBSSN
April 3 San Diego Legion at ATL Rugby 7:00 p.m. FS2
April 10 San Diego Legion at Houston SaberCats 8:00 p.m. FS2
April 11 Rugby United New York at ATL Rugby 3:00 p.m. CBSSN