Dallas (November 9, 2021) — Entering its fifth season, Major League Rugby (MLR) has announced that its 2022 season will begin with matches on February 5, 2022. The regular season will include 18 weeks of action, with two bye weeks for each team. The 13 teams, with the addition of the Dallas Jackals, will be competing within and across two conferences: the Eastern Conference (Old Glory DC, New England Free Jacks, NOLA Gold, Rugby ATL, Rugby United New York, Toronto Arrows) and the Western Conference (Austin Gilgronis, Dallas Jackals, Houston SaberCats, LA Giltinis, Seattle Seawolves, San Diego Legion, Utah Warriors).

“We are excited for Major League Rugby’s fifth season and the continued growth of the League,” said Commissioner George Killebrew. “We’re confident that this season is going to be even better than the last, and that the fan experience is going to continue to improve. February 5 is going to be a great day for rugby enthusiasts and sports lovers in North America.”

The Free Jacks are preparing to host their first full season at the team’s new home stadium, Veterans Memorial Stadium, in Quincy, MA. The world-class 5000 seat venue, luxury-styled seating, a state-of-the-art Daktronics video board, upgraded control center and press box facilities, plus locker and training rooms adds fuel to the Free Jacks’ fast growth. The Free Jacks Festivals create an unparalleled fan experience around the game of rugby, with easier access to parking, great seat choices, increased space for all festivities including beer garden, games, food trucks, and live music. With a home in the City of Presidents, the Free Jacks hope to make the 2022 Major League Rugby Season the most accessible and exciting rugby year to date.

Changes have been made to the MLR Championship Series, beginning with the regular season set to conclude on Sunday, June 5, 2022. While the No. 1 seeds in both the East and West will receive first-round byes, the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in each conference will compete on June 11 and 12. Thereafter, the No. 1 seeds in both conferences will face the winners of the No.2 vs.

No. 3 matchups on June 18 and 19 for the MLR Conference Finals. Ultimately, the MLR Championship Final will take place the weekend of June 25/26.

Opening weekend will take the Free Jacks to New Orleans to face NOLA Gold in the first of three contests against the purple, green and gold on Saturday, February 5^th. Other highlights of the Free Jacks schedule includes a home opener kicking off Saint Patrick’s Day Weekend festivities in Boston as the Free Jacks host Toronto on Saturday, March 12^th at 4:30 pm, the introduction of the Coffee Cup; a cross-country rivalry with the Seattle Seawolves taking place on April 9^th, and the ever-present rivalry between Boston and New York will be brought to new heights with the inaugural Chowder Cup and will see the teams going head to head three times this season with the final matchup closing out the regular season campaign at home on Friday, June 3^rd at 7 pm.

Full Free Jacks 2022 Schedule:

Broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

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

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About The Free Jacks: The Free Jacks are an aspiring and innovative live events, media, and consumer products organization. The core brand in the portfolio is The New England Free Jacks, the humble hard-working free-spirited professional rugby team competing in the emergent and exhilarating Major League Rugby (MLR), the premier North American professional rugby competition. For more information please visit www.FreeJacks.com

About Major League Rugby: Major League Rugby is a professional sports league entering its fifth season that represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018, to 13 teams in 2021, featuring 12 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2, among other national and local market platforms. Select matches are available to stream live in North America on The Rugby Network, and all matches are available on The Rugby Network for international fans.

MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more information about MLR, visit www.MajorLeague.Rugby.