San Diego, Los Angeles rugby clubs to merge, form new California Legion

The San Diego Legion is no more – but rugby still will have a place locally.

The squad, launched in 2018, and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles confirmed Wednesday that they have agreed in principle to form a single, statewide professional rugby franchise, the California Legion.

But the Legion won’t leave San Diego completely. The new team will begin competing in the 2026 Major League Rugby (MLR) season, and play their home matches in multiple venues across San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County.

“This is a unifying vision for the sport of rugby across California. We are fortunate to have a group of owners and advisors that have a shared vision,” said Adam Freier, newly appointed CEO of the California Legion, in a news release “By combining resources, talent, and passion we will create a franchise that reflects the full potential of rugby in this state, from youth development to professional excellence.”

With the merger, 10 MLR teams remain; the cities include Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans and Seattle.

The San Diego club tasted a great deal of success, including winning a record 15 games two years ago, but fell short of securing a MLR crown.

They reached the inaugural championship game in 2018, but lost to the Seattle Seawolves, then made it all the way to the title game again the following year, only to again drop the match to Seattle, this time in heartbreaking fashion.

In that record-breaking 2023 season, the Legion finally dispatched Seattle, only to see the New England Free Jacks begin a championship run – the team prevailed over San Diego by one point to capture the MLR Shield and now have won three straight.

Last season, the Legion missed the playoffs, but during its time as the San Diego Legion, the club brought high-profile players to the region, including New Zealand rugby legend Ma’a Nonu and Australian Matt Giteau, a three-time World Cup veteran. 

Along with the installation of the new MLR franchise, the Legion Community Foundation will prioritize tactical initiatives like establishing Flag Rugby leagues in regions where school leadership supports California Interscholastic Federation-sanctioned play.

“Major League Rugby will always prioritize long-term growth of the game in the U.S., delivering an exceptional on-field product and an incredible fan experience, and The California Legion is a way to showcase that in Southern California,” said MLR Commissioner Nic Benson.

The effort is designed to not only grow participation, but to build sustainable pathways for young players into high school, collegiate, and eventually MLR, the U.S.A. Eagles men’s national rugby team and beyond.

The focus will include expanding boys’ and girls’ high school rugby, advancing men’s and women’s community college rugby, supporting the elevation of women’s rugby to NCAA Championship status, and launching an annual California Youth Rugby Summit in 2026.