MLR, USRPA Reach CBA for American Rugby

Media Release form Major League Rugby.

Crafted after extensive negotiations between the two sides, the CBA brings stability to professional rugby in the U.S. and opens new doors for the sport in advance of the 2031 Rugby World Cup coming to North America.

The new CBA is a proud testament to the shared vision between MLR and USRPA, focusing on elevating the standards for all players while building on a strong foundation to support the growth of the league. The two sides worked closely together to identify common ground in crafting a comprehensive agreement that delivers a responsible, yet expansive framework of support for all.

"Make no mistake – this is a momentous achievement for the sport in the U.S., as reaching the first CBA for American rugby provides clarity heading into the 2026 season and demonstrates a commitment to finding common ground as MLR seeks to grow the game in the U.S.," said Graeme Bradbury, co-president of MLR. "This is a historic agreement for American rugby, signaling a recognition by all parties that we're best when we work together, collaborate together and grow together. The league is ready to deliver another year of thrilling rugby action for our passionate fans."

The agreement builds on the existing support for MLR players through a series of strategic enhancements, while also delivering needed financial stability for all parties that will enable the league to grow in the coming years.

“This CBA is about creating stability so players can focus on performing at the highest level,” said Chris Mattina, Executive Director of the USRPA. “Our players are deeply committed to the success of the league, and this agreement shows meaningful protections can be achieved through good-faith bargaining.”

The new CBA represents a celebration of the sport in the U.S., putting in place various standards that will benefit both MLR and its players as the attention shifts to the upcoming season.

This represents the latest step by MLR to create a better working environment for its players. In 2024, the league launched an innovative partnership with Onrise to provide mental wellness support for players, staff and officials. It also collaborated with World Rugby on a trial for an LED mouthguard to prevent concussions prior to its deployment at the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

United States Rugby Players Association (USRPA)

The United States Rugby Players Association (USRPA) and its newly formed MLRPA
bargaining unit, strongly condemn the unilateral decision by Major League Rugby (MLR) to
schedule midweek games and reduce some teams’ number of bye weeks for the 2025 season.

The Players were not consulted in making these decisions which drastically negate player
welfare by unsafely reducing recovery time between matches (where some teams will be forced
to play 3 games in 9 days) and cutting into much needed bye-week rest periods.

Under World Rugby’s match recovery Player Welfare Guidelines, players should be afforded at
least four “clear days” to recover from the toll of a professional rugby match. Multiple research
studies cited in the Guidelines have shown that players bear evidence of muscle damage for 4-5
days after a match and that their power output and neuromuscular function remain impaired for
at least 60 hours and up to five days. Adequate rest is necessary to ensure physical recovery
and reduce the risk of injury.

For 2025, MLR has scheduled nearly all its teams to either lose a bye week or play midweek
games on 4 or fewer days of clear rest, falling dangerously short of World Rugby standards.
Other games have been scheduled early in the week following a team’s bye week. In these
instances, team training expectations will likely now cut short the much-needed rest time players
would otherwise have to spend with their families or return home during a bye week.
MLPRA asks the league to prioritize player welfare and work together with us to remedy these
serious issues for the upcoming 2025 season.

About: USRPA / MLRPA is an independent players union established by, and operated for the
benefit of, professional rugby players in America. It currently serves as the exclusive collective
bargaining representative for players in the United States National Teams (Men’s and Women’s
7s and 15s) and in Major League Rugby.