Good news: Major League Rugby (MLR) is coming to Montgomery County, MD. Old Glory DC, the DC-area MLR franchise, announced today that it is playing its home matches at “the pitch” at Championship Stadium at the Germantown / Boyds area “Maryland SoccerPlex”. Starting this spring, rugby matches will be played right here in Montgomery County, MD – a quick drive for those of us in Olney, Rockville, Gaithersburg and Germantown.
Even better news: it doesn’t appear this required millions or even thousands in taxpayer financing, subsidy or handouts to nearby property owners to happen.
It is almost as if… a quality facility, natural Bermuda grass field and a maintained grandstand attracts teams and new franchises… organically. These things don’t require the “state government” or Montgomery County to throw millions of other people’s money at a sports team ownership group to get them to relocate here. A passionate fanbase helps, too.
And Old Glory Rugby is worth being a fan of – think pro football before the $150 seats and $1,000 luxury “suites”, $15 domestic beers and prima donna athletes who demand your attention but honestly could care less if your gas tax is hiked, yet again, by MD politicians. As someone who has attended past MLR / Old Glory games – it is worth a few hours on a spring weekend. American football is the “bastard child” of rugby — you’ll pick up the rules pretty quick even if you’ve never seen pro rugby before.
A family of four can easily attend for less then $150 – that’s including tickets and beer. The team promises a beer garden experience this coming spring (2024) as well. After the game, players typically linger and talk – yes talk – to fans and sign autographs.
Also – the facilities and fields at the MD SoccerPlex, based on past reporting at least, don’t appear to be some long-lost vestige of taxpayer-granted largesse, either. Well, technically the “gift” of $6 million back in 2005 came from the then chairman of Discovery Communications, Inc — a corporate recipient of prior MoCo Council approved taxpayer subsidies… but, still. Kind of refreshing, in this day and age of MD governors trying to (potentially) further subsidize the billionaire owner of the Washington Commanders pro football franchise.
Per Old Glory’s press release and FAQs:
“We are excited at the SoccerPlex to be the new home of Old Glory DC. We plan to be the best facility in Major League Rugby,” said Matt Libber, Executive Director Maryland Soccer Foundation and Maryland SoccerPlex. “Bringing the highest level of rugby in the US to Maryland raises the profile of professional sports in the State. This is also another step to show the world that we are more than a soccer facility.”
“If you happened to catch the Collegiate Rugby Championship this past spring, you know the Soccerplex has really stepped up its ability to present the unique game of rugby in a top quality environment,” said Old Glory Chairman Chris Dunlavey. “The venue offers a vibe that really taps into the rugby community’s culture and spirit. We look forward to providing Old Glory fans with this engaging environment once again.”
More to come.
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