Stadiums of Major League Rugby 2020

The 2020 Major League Rugby season will feature three new teams and six new venues. From old to new, turf and grass, downtown or outside the city, and a wide range of capacities. Below we provide an overview of where the games will be played in the third season of MLR.

 

Sam Boyd Stadium
Las Vegas, Nevada

Opened: 1971
Capacity: 35,500
Surface: Sprinturf
2018/19 MLR Games: 0
2020 MLR Games: 5

Five neutral-venue regular season games will be held for the first time in Las Vegas. The first will take place on the opening weekend with four in Week 2. Originally scheduled at Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin, the games were recently moved to the much larger Sam Boyd Stadium, former home of the USA stop on the World Sevens Series.

 

Bold Stadium
Austin, Texas

Opened: 2019
Capacity: 5,000
Surface: Natural Grass
2018/19 MLR Games: 0
2020 MLR Games: 7

The Gilgronis don’t just have a new name, they have made the switch to a new stadium at the Circuit of the Americas. This season’s games were originally set to take place at Round Rock Multipurpose Complex, the venue used in 2018. In 2019 they played at Dell Diamond, a baseball stadium in Round Rock.

 

Toyota Field
San Antonio, Texas

Opened: 2013
Capacity: 8,000
Surface: TifSport Bermuda Grass
2018/19 MLR Games: 1
2020 MLR Games: 1

Austin’s ‘alternate’ venue is in San Antonio. A permanent move to the stadium had been discussed in the off-season after last year’s disappointment at Dell Diamond. Instead the team will play just a single match there in 2020, as they did in 2019.

 

Infinity Park
Glendale, Colorado

Opened: 2007
Capacity: 5,000
Surface: Desso Turf
2018/19 MLR Games: 14
2020 MLR Games: 8

The oldest rugby-specific stadium in the country and one well-known by MLR fans. Aside from housing the Colorado Raptors and local Glendale Merlins, the RugbyTown 7s is a hugely popular annual event.

 

AVEVA Stadium
Houston, Texas

Opened: 2019
Capacity: 4,000
Surface: Natural Grass
2018/19 MLR Games: 3
2020 MLR Games: 8

Home of the Houston SaberCats. The first stadium constructed by an MLR side opened its doors part-way through last season. With its natural grass surface now settled it is one of the league’s premier venues. The SaberCats played at Dyer Stadium and Constellation Field in Sugar Land previously.

 

Union Point Stadium
Weymouth, Massachusetts

Opened: 2018
Capacity: 2,000
Surface: FieldTurf
2018/19 MLR Games: 0
2020 MLR Games: 7

The ‘stadium’ is actually just some added seating at the main pitch of Union Point Sports Complex. This is the smallest venue in MLR and likely a temporary home for the New England Free Jacks unless they come to an agreement to build a permanent facility there.

 

The Gold Mine
New Orleans, Louisiana

Opened: 1997
Capacity: 10,000
Surface: Natural Grass
2018/19 MLR Games: 0
2020 MLR Games: 8

Also known as The Shrine on Airline, formerly Zephyr Field. This is a baseball stadium that has been re-purposed for rugby in 2020 with the NOLA Gold its only current tenants. Fans have applauded the move to the north side of the Mississippi. The team played at Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero for its first two seasons.

 

Cardinal Stadium
Washington, DC

Opened: 1985
Capacity: 3,500
Surface: FieldTurf
2018/19 MLR Games: 0
2020 MLR Games: 8

Old Glory DC will start its MLR story at Catholic University’s football field. It passed the test during the spring exhibition run and will likely serve as the team’s home until a new facility is constructed.

 

Lupo Family Field
Marietta, Georgia

Opened: 2014
Capacity: 2,500
Surface: Artificial Turf
2018/19 MLR Games: 0
2020 MLR Games: 8

A familiar venue for many of Rugby ATL’s players located on the Life University campus. Being one of the smaller venues in MLR and outside of Atlanta, it is likely a temporary home until a new site is identified.

 

MCU Park
Brooklyn, New York

Opened: 2001
Capacity: 7,000
Surface: FieldTurf
2018/19 MLR Games: 8
2020 MLR Games: 7

Rugby United New York has been openly shopping for a new home in the off-season but will stick it out at the Coney Island baseball park for now. It provided some unusual scenery with the roller coasters in the background and the infield diamond visible on the pitch.

 

Torero Stadium
San Diego, California

Opened: 1961
Capacity: 8,000
Surface: Bandera Bermuda Grass
2018/19 MLR Games: 15
2020 MLR Games: 8

The home of professional rugby in San Diego since 2016 has seen the Breakers come and go, and now proudly welcomes the Legion for a third season. Both MLR Championship Finals have taken place there. The arrival of a new professional soccer team as co-tenants will see the capacity boosted from 6,000 to 8,000 in 2020.

 

Starfire Stadium
Tukwila, Washington

Opened: 2005
Capacity: 4,000
Surface: FieldTurf
2018/19 MLR Games: 13
2020 MLR Games: 8

Despite being located outside of Seattle, the Seawolves venue sells out for virtually every game and often weeks in advance. It is noted for the narrow pitch that makes scoring tries a challenge. The seating capacity is closer to 3,500 with standing room pushing it up to 4,000.

 

Lamport Stadium
Toronto, Ontario

Opened: 1975
Capacity: 9,600
Surface: 4G Artificial Turf
2018/19 MLR Games: 4
2020 MLR Games: 5

The primary venue of the Toronto Arrows will host five games in 2020, up one from 2019. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, it is also home to the Wolfpack Rugby League team. The claimed capacity of 9,600 includes standing room.

 

York Alumni Field
Toronto, Ontario

Opened: 1995
Capacity: 2,500
Surface: FieldTurf
2018/19 MLR Games: 4
2020 MLR Games: 2

Toronto’s ‘alternate’ venue hosted four games in 2019 but will see only two in 2020. While the facilities are in some ways superior to Lamport, its location in the North York suburb and significantly smaller capacity makes it a less attractive option.

 

 

Zions Bank Stadium
Herriman, Utah

Opened: 2018
Capacity: 5,000
Surface: Artificial Turf
2018/19 MLR Games: 12
2020 MLR Games: 7

The timing could not have been more perfect for the completion of Real Salt Lake’s impressive academy complex just outside Salt Lake City. The Utah Warriors have made it their home from the start with its scenic vista and state-of-the-art facilities making it among the best venues in MLR.