Chicago Hounds (rugby union)

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Chicago Hounds
Full nameChicago Hounds
Founded2022 (2022)
LocationBridgeview, Illinois
GroundSeatGeek Stadium[1][2] (Capacity: 20,000)
CEOJames English[3]
CoachChris Latham[4]
CaptainLucas Rumball
Most capsMaclean Jones (49)
Top scorerLuke Carty (127)
Most triesDylan Fawsitt (23)
LeagueMajor League Rugby
2026Champions
1st in MLR
Team kit
Official website
www.chicagohounds.com

The Chicago Hounds are an American professional rugby union team based in the Chicago metropolitan area that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). The team was founded in 2022 and is co-owned by a small group of investors including majority owner Peter Bernick and part-owners (and longtime Chicago rugby players) Matt Satchwell and Phil Groves.[5][6][7] Their home stadium is SeatGeek Stadium. Games are broadcast on Fox Chicago Plus.[8]

History

On November 17, 2022, Major League Rugby announced the Chicago Hounds as the newest expansion franchise to begin play in 2023, following the discontinuation of the MLR franchises in Austin and Los Angeles.[9] The Hounds compete in the Eastern Conference.[10] Their first game was against Old Glory DC on February 18, 2023.[11] The Hounds finished their inaugural season ranked 5th among the 6 teams of the Western Conference and 9th among the 12 teams then in MLR. Of their three wins that season, two were against the Dallas Jackals in a rivalry match dubbed the Dog Bowl.[12]

In the 2026 Major League Rugby season, the Hounds became the first team in league history to finish with a perfect season, going 10-0-0 enroute to a 35-17 victory over the California Legion in the MLR Championship Final.

Home field

The team plays its home matches at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.[13][14]

Players and personnel

Current squad

The Chicago Hounds squad for the 2026 Major League Rugby season is:

2026 Chicago Hounds squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

(c) denotes the team captain.
Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for United States on residency or dual nationality.
Source: [15]

Head coaches

Assistant coaches

  • Australia Todd Dammers, Defense, Forwards Coach (2025–present)
  • Ireland Noel Reid, Attack, Backs Coach (2025–present)
  • England Jamie Beamish, Head of Performance/Strength & Conditioning (2023–present)

Records

Season standings

Season Conference Regular season Postseason
Pos Pld W D L F A +/− BP Pts Pld W L F A +/− Result
2023 Western5th163013327497-170820------Did not qualify
2024 Eastern3rd16817454387+6711452116244+18Lost Conference Final (NE)
2025 Eastern2nd161105422353+699522114737+10Lost Conference Final (NE)
2026 N/A1st101000461252+20910502209439+56Won MLR Championship (CAL)
Totals58321251,6641,489+17538167642203120+833 postseason appearances

Honors

Major League Rugby
Playoff Appearances Major League Rugby Championships
2024, 2025, 2026 2026

Players

Honor Player Name Season
MLR Rookie of the Year Peyton Wall 2025

2023 season

The Hounds played 16 games in the 2023 season. Home games were played at SeatGeek Stadium. The Hounds had their first-ever regular season victory on March 18 against the Dallas Jackals.

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 18Old Glory DCAwaySegra FieldLost, 42–27
March 5Utah WarriorsHomeSeatGeek StadiumLost, 14–10
March 11Toronto ArrowsHomeSeatGeek StadiumLost, 34–31
March 18Dallas JackalsHomeSeatGeek StadiumWon, 24–22
March 26Seattle SeawolvesHomeSeatGeek StadiumLost, 27–5
April 2Houston SaberCatsHomeSeatGeek StadiumLost, 38–21
April 8New England Free JacksAwayVeterans Memorial StadiumLost, 31–19
April 16San Diego LegionAwaySnapdragon StadiumLost, 48–24
April 23NOLA GoldHomeSeatGeek StadiumLost, 37–24
May 6Rugby ATLAwaySilverbacks ParkLost, 27–12
May 14New York IronworkersHomeSeatGeek StadiumLost, 21–20
May 20Seattle SeawolvesAwayStarfire Sports ComplexLost, 35–13
May 27Houston SaberCatsAwaySaberCats StadiumLost, 40–33
June 3San Diego LegionHomeSeatGeek StadiumLost, 14–36
June 10Utah WarriorsAwayZions Bank StadiumWon, 26–24
June 17Dallas JackalsAwayChoctaw StadiumWon, 29–28

References

  1. Harvey, Joe (December 30, 2022). "Getting to Know the Chicago Hounds with James English & Sam Harris". OurSports Central.
  2. Pengelly, Martin (November 2, 2022). "Major League Rugby announces new team in Chicago after LA and Austin exit". the Guardian.
  3. McCarthy, Matt (November 17, 2022). "Chicago Hounds 12th Major League Rugby Team. MLR Expansion Team Details". Rugby Wrap Up.
  4. "Chicago Hounds appoint new head coach". chicagohounds.com. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  5. "Hounds Announce Plans for Dawg Town Block Party". Chicago Hounds. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  6. "Getting To Know The Chicago Hounds With James English & Sam Harris". Major League Rugby. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  7. "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES EXPANSION INTO CHICAGO". Major League Rugby. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  8. "Chicago Hounds Announce Broadcast Partnership with Fox Chicago Plus".
  9. "Austin and LA out for MLR 2023, Chicago set to join". Americas Rugby News. October 25, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  10. "Major League Rugby officially announces expansion into Chicago". Major League Rugby (Press release). November 17, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  11. "Chicago Hounds Unveil Name, Logo as Major League Rugby's Newest Expansion Team". WMAQ-TV. November 17, 2022.
  12. "Dallas pushes until the very end". Major League Rugby (Press release). March 19, 2023. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  13. Rivera, Mark (November 17, 2022). "Professional rugby expands to Midwest with new team, the Chicago Hounds". WLS-TV.
  14. "Chicago Hounds Return to Dawg Town for 2024 Season". Chicago Hounds. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  15. "Chicago Hounds". North American Rugby Database. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  16. Chen, I-Chun (November 18, 2022). "Meet the Chicago Hounds, Major League Rugby's latest franchise". Chicago Business Journal..