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The Major League Rugby postseason has a different look in 2026 with the three-time defending champion New England Free Jacks absent from the field.
The Free Jacks have dominated MLR for years but finished 3-7 during the regular season, missing out on the playoffs along with Anthem RC. That opens the door for a new winner in 2026.
The Chicago Hounds are the heavy favorite to take up the mantle after a dominant, unbeaten regular season and will host Old Glory DC in the semifinals. The other semi features the one team that has been a part of MLR since the beginning in 2018, the Seattle Seawolves, hosting the California Legion.
Seattle won the first two MLR championships and lost in the finals in 2022 and 2024. Can the Seawolves return to glory or will another side take the honors this year?
Here's when and where to watch the MLR semifinals.
Where to watch Major League Rugby semifinals
- TV channels: ESPN2 (Sunday), ESPNU (Monday)
- Live streams: fubo
The Major League Rugby semifinals will air on ESPN networks. Fans can stream both live on fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Major League Rugby playoffs schedule
Semifinals
| Sun., June 14 | Seattle Seawolves vs. California Legion | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN2, fubo |
| Mon., June 15 | Chicago Hounds vs. Old Glory DC | 8 p.m. | ESPNU, fubo |
Championship
At SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois
| Sun., June 21 | Semifinal winners | 8 p.m. | ESPN2, fubo |
Major League Rugby standings 2026
| Chicago Hounds | 10-0-0 | 50 |
| Seattle Seawolves | 6-4-0 | 31 |
| California Legion | 5-5-0 | 29 |
| Old Glory DC | 4-6-0 | 22 |
| New England Free Jacks | 3-7-0 | 17 |
| Anthem RC | 2-8-0 | 13 |
Major League Rugby champions list
Here are the previous MLR champions. There were no playoffs in 2020 due to COVID-19.
| 2025 | New England Free Jacks | Houston SaberCats |
| 2024 | New England Free Jacks | Seattle Seawolves |
| 2023 | New England Free Jacks | San Diego Legion |
| 2022 | Rugby New York | Seattle Seawolves |
| 2021 | LA Giltinis | Rugby ATL |
| 2019 | Seattle Seawolves | San Diego Legion |
| 2018 | Seattle Seawolves | Glendale Raptors |

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