# Major League Rugby could get Buffalo team amid talks with 17 other locations

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/major-league-rugby-could-get-buffalo-team-amid-talks-with-17-other-locations/
- Published: 2026-11-06T11:00:52+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T11:28:00+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/nov/06/major-league-rugby-could-get-buffalo-team-amid-talks-with-17-other-locations
- Topics: Politics

## Key points

- Buffalo could join Major League Rugby in 2028.
- The league is talking expansion with 17 other groups.
- MLR aims to reach 12 teams by the 2031 World Cup.

## Summary

Major League Rugby has signed a letter of intent with the Buffalo Thunderbolts over a possible 2028 entry, while discussing expansion with 17 other groups. The move is part of an effort to rebuild the competition after several teams left, with the league aiming to grow sustainably ahead of the 2031 men’s Rugby World Cup in the United States.

MLR will have five teams in 2027: Seattle, Chicago, New England, Old Glory DC and California. Co-president Alex Magleby said six of the groups in talks could enter a formal bid process, with three teams to be selected; the longer-term goal is 12 teams by 2031. Buffalo’s Canadian links and established rugby culture are seen as advantages, though the Thunderbolts still need to secure a venue.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.