Shock as MLR loses fourth team after bombshell announcement

The Houston Sabercats have announced that they have withdrawn from Major League Rugby (MLR) for the 2026 season.

The 2025 runners-up broke the news via a statement on the club’s website without offering any explanation as to why they had pulled out.

The statement said: “Thank you for supporting the Sabercats over the past eight seasons. We have shared some incredible experiences together, from our patchy start in the early years at a minor-league baseball stadium to the successful squad of the last four years, playing at the best rugby facility in the country. We can be proud of this journey and celebrate. Many of the experiences we shared together.

“It is with much sadness that we announce we will not be participating in MLR’s 2026 season. To our passionate fans and valued sponsors–thank you for your support, for the time and energy you invested in the Sabercats. Season tickets will be refunded shortly.

“Thank you again. We hope that you enjoyed the ride as much as we did. Gratefully, the Sabercats.”

The Sabercats’ withdrawal is another hammer blow to North America’s only professional club league, which has already lost Miami Sharks and NOLA Gold.

In addition, the two California teams, based in Los Angeles and San Diego, will merge to create a new franchise, the Californian Legion, so the MLR has effectively lost four teams.

Forever grateful, SaberCats Family—thank you for the memories. pic.twitter.com/nBefUHED2P

— Houston SaberCats Rugby (@HOUSaberCats) September 11, 2025

The Sabercats have been ever-present since the league was founded in 2018, but a ninth season, and the chance to go one better than last year when they lost to the New England Free Jacks in the final, has proved beyond them.

The removal of Texas’ premier team leaves more professional players looking for contracts elsewhere, including dual-international winger Rufus McLean, who recently swapped Scotland for the USA.