Buffalo could be the next city to join Major League Rugby.

On the latest episode of Inside MLR, Co-President Alex Magleby discussed the potential 2028 expansion team and where the process stands. The group behind the bid is currently at the letter-of-intent stage, working through key milestones around ownership, financing, stadium plans and connecting with the local rugby community.

The ambition goes beyond one city. MLR is targeting 12 to 14 teams by the 2031 Rugby World Cup, with Magleby revealing that the Buffalo announcement had already sparked interest from a group in the San Francisco Bay Area.

But expansion will be deliberate. As Magleby explained, the league has learned that adding teams is only part of the equation. Building the right foundation for long-term success matters just as much.

Looking ahead to 2027

The league's immediate focus is the 2027 season, which will feature five teams and is expected to run from late March through June, in line with the 2026 calendar.

Magleby also shared encouraging signs of audience growth, with MLR's YouTube viewership up approximately 108% year over year and viewers watching for twice as long.

The episode also covered the USA Eagles' recent international campaign, including a 28-26 Nations Cup victory over Hong Kong China, and the importance of continued player development as the road to 2031 takes shape.

Growing the game beyond the field

MLR Director of Rugby Brandon Sparks joined the conversation to discuss changes coming to the Referee Review System in 2027, including the removal of team challenges to help improve game flow.

He also highlighted the MLR Coach Academy, which gives coaches across the rugby community access to education and insight from experienced voices throughout the game.

From potential expansion markets to developing players, coaches and officials, the message from this episode was clear: MLR's growth is about more than what happens on matchday. It's about building a stronger foundation for the future of rugby in America.