World Rugby, USA Rugby, and Major League Rugby have announced the establishment of a new MLR expansion club.
Anthem Rugby Carolina, which will be based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is set to join the MLR in the 2024 season.
The American Legion Memorial Stadium will serve as the club’s home ground during the season.
The news comes just a month after the MLR lost a second team ahead of the 2024 season as the New York Ironworkers joined the Toronto Arrows in withdrawing from the competition.
World Rugby also confirmed that Anthem RC’s inaugural roster will feature players from various MLR teams who are eligible to compete on behalf of the USA in international competition.
Meanwhile, the club embraces the concept of ‘rising stars throughout its brand, symbolic of the efforts of the new club to invest and grow American rugby.’
The team’s name is inspired by the national anthem and also features distinct connections to the Charlotte community by drawing from its rich military heritage and incorporating a recognisable colour palette that draws from the smoky tones of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“This ground-breaking partnership between the governing bodies for global and American rugby, as well as North America’s premier professional rugby league, represents a significant investment and collaboration in the growth and development of the game in the United States as future hosts of the men’s and women’s
in 2031 and 2033 respectively,” a World Rugby statement read.
“MLR and USA Rugby have previously collaborated to support the USA Hawks, an initiative focused on helping young American players and USA-qualified prospects grow as elite rugby players via a dedicated performance pathway. Anthem RC, through the relationship with World Rugby and USA Rugby, will greatly accelerate that high-performance objective by supporting the long-term progress of the USA men’s national team in advance of qualification for Rugby World Cup 2027 and hosting the 2031 edition on home soil.”
CEO of MLR Nic Benson praised the ground-breaking deal and believes that it will aid the development of rugby players in the US.
“The launch of Anthem RC is a game-changer in this shared journey to grow and enhance the game of rugby in the US, offering a clear pathway for player development and greater opportunity for USA Rugby as North America gears up for the Rugby World Cup,” Benson said.
“We’re grateful to the leadership of both World Rugby and USA Rugby for their investment in this endeavour, knowing that it helps to lay a sure-footed foundation that will anchor the continued expansion of the game in the US.”
USA Rugby CEO, Ross Young, added: “This remarkable collaboration between MLR, USA Rugby and World Rugby is an inspiring example of progress we can look forward to as rugby in America begins a new trajectory.
“Anthem RC provides a truly unique opportunity for accelerated development with USA Rugby High Performance while continuing to bolster MLR as a key pathway for the USA Men’s Eagles.
“The level of teamwork that has occurred across all parties to bring this project to life is unprecedented and we’re thrilled to see it on a rugby pitch this year.”
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin hailed the development as a major milestone in an overall strategy to grow rugby competitiveness and interest in the USA ahead of home Rugby World Cups.
“Working with strategic partners in the USA, and backed by our Executive Board, we are activating a transformative and long-term growth plan for rugby in the US that will enable a great sporting nation, and the sport as a whole, to unlock the true potential of hosting men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 respectively,” he said.
“This ambitious plan is centred around making the sport more relevant and accessible to more people in the US, a nation that loves sport and events, anchored in entertainment. In addition to accelerating the clear potential of women’s rugby and cementing sevens in USA sports culture, we must sustainably grow the elite men’s game and for the USA Eagles national team to be successful on the world stage.
“Today’s announcement is a major milestone to achieving that. Coupled with long-term global calendar certainty, our investment, along with our partners, will provide an opportunity for a well-supported high performance pathway geared towards achieving results on the world stage.
This type of partnership has proven successful for RWC 2023 quarter-finalists Fiji with the establishment of the Drua, and we are excited about the huge potential of Anthem RC, not just as a pathway, but as a major franchise within a long-term vision for MLR success, shared by all stakeholders.”
