NOLA Gold Rugby to open 2021 season March 20

Major League Rugby announced its 2021 schedule Tuesday, with NOLA Gold opening the campaign with back-to-back home matches, including the first match of the MLR season.

The Gold will face Old Glory DC in the season opener March 20 and Rugby ATL on March 27.

The home schedule also includes matches against the 2019 MLR champion Seattle Seawolves on April 10, a return visit by Rugby ATL on May 8, the 2019 runner-up San Diego Legion on May 22, another set of back-to-back home matches with Rugby United New York and the New England Free Jacks on June 5 and 12, and the home finale with the Toronto Arrows on June 26.

The MLR Championship Series begins July 25, with the championship match on Aug. 1.

Home matches will again be played at the facility once known as Zephyr Field. The first four home matches are scheduled for 3 p.m. starts, with the last four starting at 7 p.m. Broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

MLR features 13 teams in 2021, split into two conferences. The Eastern Conference features six teams (Rugby ATL, New England Free Jacks, NOLA Gold, Old Glory DC, Rugby United New York, Toronto Arrows) while the Western Conference features seven teams (Austin Gilgronis, Dallas Jackals, Houston SaberCats, LA Giltinis, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves, Utah Warriors). Each team will play a 16-game regular season schedule, with two bye weeks each. The top two teams in each conference reach the championship series.

NOLA had played five matches in 2020 when the MLR season was canceled in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Gold had three wins and was in third place in the Eastern Conference standings table and fourth place overall with 16 points.

The complete 2021 NOLA Gold schedule (all matches on Saturday unless otherwise noted; times Central):

March 20 vs Old Glory DC 3 p.m.
March 27 vs Rugby ATL 3 p.m.
April 3 as Dallas Jackals 7 p.m.
April 10 vs Seattle Seawolves 3 p.m.
April 18 (Sun) at New England Free Jacks 3 p.m.
May 2 (Sun) at Toronto Arrows 11 a.m.
May 8 vs Rugby ATL 3 p.m.
May 15 at LA Giltinis 7:30 p.m.
May 22 vs San Diego Legion 7 p.m.
May 29 at Utah Warriors 8 p.m.
June 5 vs Rugby United New York 7 p.m.
June 12 vs New England Free Jacks 7 p.m.
June 19 at Rugby ATL 7 p.m.
June 26 vs Toronto Arrows 7 p.m.
July 10 at Old Glory DC 4 p.m.
July 17 at Rugby United New York 1 p.m.

MLR SCHEDULE RELEASE:
Major League Rugby Announces 2021 Season Schedule
League to Begin Play March 20; Play 18 Weeks Prior to MLR Championship Series

DALLAS (December 8, 2020) – Major League Rugby (MLR) announced today its 2021 season schedule, beginning with matches on March 20, 2021. Entering its fourth season, MLR will feature 13 teams competing throughout North America over 18 weeks. The conclusion of the regular season will bring the MLR Championship Series, with the top two seeds from each conference qualifying for the postseason. The playoffs will culminate with the Championship Final to be held August 1.

“We are very excited to return to the pitch for Major League Rugby’s fourth season in North America,” said MLR Commissioner George Killebrew. “The 2021 season will be a celebration, with a focus on the fans and their passion for the game. We’ve expanded to 13 teams and look forward to some spirited competition, and further growth of the rugby community. We can’t wait for March 20 to get here.”

The 13 teams are split into two conferences. The Eastern Conference features six teams (Rugby ATL, New England Free Jacks, NOLA Gold, Old Glory DC, Rugby United New York, Toronto Arrows) while the Western Conference features seven teams (Austin Gilgronis, Dallas Jackals, Houston SaberCats, LA Giltinis, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves, Utah Warriors). Each team will play a 16-game regular season schedule, with two bye weeks each.

Opening weekend on March 20 will feature a 3 p.m. ET matinee in New Orleans, as NOLA Gold hosts Old Glory DC. Other highlights of the League’s opening day include the Dallas Jackals’ inaugural game at Los Angeles, and Austin Gilgronis hosting the 2019 champion Seattle Seawolves.

Other notable games for the regular season include:
· March 27: Southern rivalry – NOLA hosts Rugby ATL
· April 3: Dallas’ first-ever home match vs. NOLA
· April 3: First Texas tilt — Houston at Austin
· April 3: New England’s first-ever home match vs. Northeast rival New York
· May 16: A rematch of the 2019 Championship Final — Seattle at San Diego
· May 23: 2019 playoff foes meet – Toronto at Seattle
· May 30: San Diego hosts Los Angeles in first California battle

The entire MLR regular season schedule is linked here. Broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

There will be a variety of preseason activities in each market as well as a national media day where each team will provide standout players for national and international media availability.

Like many major professional sports around the globe, MLR adjusted its 2020 season schedule due to the pandemic and turned its attention to ensuring the league would rebound with a strong showing in 2021. League and team officials have been diligently working to build strong rosters and enhance the fan experience for the upcoming season.

MLR has a COVID Task Force made up of medical advisors and League officials that is dedicated to setting policies and procedures that ensure the safety of athletes, fans, and staff. MLR will continue to consult with the COVID Task Force, medical advisors, teams and players, to always put safety first when making decisions as the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve.