The Houston SaberCats informed Major League Rugby that they’re ending an eight-season run with the league.
HOUSTON — The Houston SaberCats will not compete in the 2026 Major League Rugby season, effectively ending the team’s run after eight seasons, the club announced on Thursday.
Major League Rugby confirmed the move in a statement, saying, “The Houston SaberCats have informed Major League Rugby they do not plan to compete in the 2026 season. While disappointed in this news, the league is focused on preparations for the upcoming season.”
The SaberCats’ statement, posted on social media, did not mention any plans for relocation, sale, or reorganization. The club will refund money for season ticket holders.
While the team has not officially declared a permanent shutdown, the announcement signals the likely end for one of MLR’s founding franchises as the club stated it hoped fans “enjoyed the ride as much as we did.”
Sources tell KHOU-TV the team had been losing millions of dollars. Although early losses were expected as the league began, financial struggles persisted well into the SaberCats’ eighth season, raising doubts about the long-term viability of the franchise.
The decision leaves Major League Rugby with just four active teams heading into 2026 — a significant contraction for a league that had once boasted double-digit clubs.
The SaberCats enjoyed their best season on the field in 2025, winning the league’s Western Conference.
Attention now turns to the fate of SaberCats Stadium, a rugby-specific venue hailed as one of the top facilities of its kind in the United States. Built with support from the City of Houston and private investors, the stadium had been seen as a potential cornerstone for growing rugby in the region.
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