DALLAS (March 10, 2021) — Major League Rugby (MLR), CBS and FOX Sports today announced the national television schedule for the first month of the 2021 season. The premier North American rugby league, entering its fourth season, will televise its matches beginning the weekend of March 20 on CBS Sports Network, FS1 and FS2 with the Championship Final to be held August 1, broadcast nationally on CBS Sports.

Opening weekend of the 16-game regular season will feature the Houston SaberCats hosting the Seattle Seawolves from Aveva Stadium on CBS Sports Network at 8:00 p.m. ET. The game will be preceded by the FS2 telecast of NOLA Gold (New Orleans) squaring off against the New England Free Jacks at 4:00 p.m. ET from The Shrine on Airline (Metairie, Louisiana).

“Having strong television partners like CBS Sports and FOX Sports is a major element to the growth of MLR,” said MLR Commissioner George Killebrew. “With expanded coverage on the CBS Sports and FOX Sports national networks FS1 and FS2, we’ll be able to bring our fans the rugby coverage they expect but also introduce our sport to entirely new fans this season.”

“We are excited to showcase another season of fast-paced Major League Rugby action on CBS Sports,” said Dan Weinberg, EVP, Programming, CBS Sports. “As lead broadcast partner, CBS Sports Network will televise marquee matches throughout the season, including the semifinals, culminating with the Championship Final on CBS in August.”

“We are thrilled to add a robust slate of Major League Rugby matches to FOX Sports’ extensive spring roster,” said Bill Wanger, Executive Vice President, Head of Programming and Scheduling, FOX Sports. “We are excited to showcase the best of professional North American rugby across our cable networks.”  

The MLR national television schedule for the first month of the season:

Date                      Match                                                                                   Time (ET)             Network
March 20             Old Glory DC at NOLA Gold                                               4:00 p.m.             FS2
March 20             Seattle Seawolves at Houston SaberCats                      8:00 p.m.             CBSSN
March 27             Toronto Arrows at Utah Warriors                                     9:00 p.m.             FS2
April 3                   Utah Warriors at New England Free Jacks                    4:30 p.m.             CBSSN
April 3                   San Diego Legion at Rugby ATL                                      7:00 p.m.             FS2
April 10                 San Diego Legion at Houston SaberCats                      8:00 p.m.             FS2
April 11                 Rugby United New York at Rugby ATL                           3:00 p.m.             CBSSN

The remainder of the 2021 MLR national television schedule will be released in the coming weeks. Fans are encouraged to visit https://www.majorleague.rugby/ for additional information and https://www.majorleague.rugby/schedules/ for the full season schedule.

About MLR:

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league entering its fourth season on March 20, 2021 and represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018, to 12 teams in 2021, featuring 11 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on CBS Sports Network, FS1 and FS2, among other national and local market platforms. All matches are available on Facebook Live 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.

About CBS Sports:

CBS Sports, a year-round leader in cross-platform sports coverage, broadcasts a portfolio of events on the CBS Television Network, including THE NFL ON CBS; college football, including the SEC ON CBS; college basketball, including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship; golf, including The Masters®, PGA Championship and PGA TOUR; soccer, including the UEFA Champions League and NWSL; and CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR. In addition, the division includes CBS SPORTS NETWORK, the 24-hour cable home of CBS Sports which televises live sports programming throughout the year, including college football and basketball games, UEFA Champions League and Europa League action, as well as a full slate of original programming and studio coverage. CBS Sports also delivers an extensive lineup of soccer coverage on Paramount+, including every UEFA club competition match as the exclusive English-language home in the U.S., and produces INSIDE THE NFL for Paramount+. CBS Sports Digital’s multi-platform offerings include CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports apps for mobile and connected TV devices; the 24/7 streaming sports news network CBS Sports HQ; 247Sports; MaxPreps; CBS Sports fantasy games; and SportsLine.

About FOX Sports:

FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing FOX Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets.  Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, the business has ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing relationships.  FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes. FOX Sports’ digital properties include FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App, which provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content, instant scores, stats and alerts to iOS and Android devices. Additionally, FOX Sports and social broadcasting platform Caffeine jointly own Caffeine Studios which creates exclusive eSports, sports and live entertainment content. Also included in FOX Sports’ portfolio are FOX’s interests in joint-venture business Big Ten Network, a licensing and commercial relationship with The Stars Group that created the FOX Bet sports betting platform and the FOX Bet Super 6 free-to-play game, as well as a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network.