Buffalo Bids for MLR Franchise
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The Takeaway: The Buffalo Thunderbolts are an MLR 2028 Expansion Candidate group that has signed a letter of intent with Major League Rugby to pursue an expansion team for Buffalo, beginning play in the 2028 season.
Group led by Joe DiPasquale, Mark Winokur named an MLR 2028 Expansion Candidate; Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan, New York State Assemblyman Bill Conrad back the bid
BUFFALO, N.Y. – November 5, 2026 – Major League Rugby (MLR) today announced it has signed a letter of intent with a Buffalo ownership group led by Joe DiPasquale and Mark Winokur. The group is now an MLR 2028 Expansion Candidate, working toward a professional rugby team in Buffalo that would begin play in the 2028 season.
“Buffalo is one of America’s great sports cities, and we would be excited to welcome Major League Rugby to our community,” Mayor Sean Ryan said. “I’m proud to support Joe DiPasquale and Mark Winokur’s efforts to bring an expansion team to Buffalo. This is an opportunity to build on our city’s proud sports tradition, introduce more people to rugby, and give our fans another team to rally behind.”
The expansion process is part of MLR’s vision to build toward 12 teams by the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup, which will be held in the United States.
"Rugby has been an instrumental part of my life since I was a very young man, when I played for SUNY Fredonia, and I later founded the Kenmore Rugby Club and coached kids in the sport for many years,” said New York State Assemblyman Bill Conrad, 140th District. “I love the game and what it did for my personal growth, my physical fitness and self-discipline, and my understanding of teamwork and leadership. I embrace any opportunity to introduce more of the world to the sport, and Buffalo offers an already strong base of rugby players, boosters, and fans. I couldn't agree more that it's a logical locale for an MLR expansion!"
The letter of intent is the first formal step in MLR’s expansion process. Over the coming months, the Buffalo group will finalize its ownership, venue and business plans with the league in hopes of landing an expansion spot in the 2028 MLR competition.
“Buffalo is a great sports city led by fiercely loyal and passionate fans, with deep rugby roots and a unique cross-border reach into Canada,” said Alex Magleby, Co-President of Major League Rugby. “Joe and Mark have done serious work already, and we look forward to seeing their full plan come to fruition in the coming months.”
“We are grateful for the support we have received from local and state leaders, rugby clubs, and business partners on both sides of the border,” said Joe DiPasquale. “Signing this letter of intent is an important step. Our focus now is finalizing the rest of our investment group and venue plans, so Buffalo is ready to bid for 2028.”
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About Major League Rugby
MLR is a professional sports league representing the highest rugby competition in North America. Launched in 2018, the league’s current five teams stretch from coast-to-coast in the United States. Each week, fans encounter a fast, physical and action-packed sport, with festival and entertaining game day experiences. MLR continues to prove that everyone is a rugby fan, whether they know it or not.
The MLR has seen tremendous media growth over the past season, spurred by flourishing festival atmospheres, competitive parity, grassroots initiatives, and the announcement of the U.S. as the host of the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Eyes across the globe focus on Major League Rugby as the league continues to expand North American rugby fandom.
