# Anthem RC x Pillar Sports: Official Partnership Announcement for the 2026 USMLR Season

- Link: https://pillarsports.com/anthem-rc-partnership/
- Published: 2026-02-11T09:00:00+08:00
- Author: PSL Media Team

Last updated on: February 10, 2026

## **Pillar Sports Welcomes Anthem RC Ahead of the 2026 Major League Rugby Season**

Pillar Sports is proud to announce a new partnership with **Anthem Rugby Carolina(
Anthem RC)** for the **2026 USA Major League Rugby (USMLR) season**. As another 
elite USMLR team joining the Pillar Sports family, this collaboration represents
a shared commitment to **player performance, injury prevention, and the continued
growth of rugby in the United States**.

Anthem RC’s mission to develop American rugby talent and build sustainable pathways
to the national team strongly aligns with Pillar Sports’ values — making this partnership
a natural fit as we head into an exciting new season.

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## **About Anthem RC**

Based in **Charlotte, North Carolina**, Anthem RC competes in **Major League Rugby**
with a clear focus on long-term player development and high-performance standards.
Backed by USA Rugby and World Rugby, Anthem RC plays a critical role in strengthening
the future of elite American rugby.

Since entering the league, Anthem RC has continued to build momentum both on and
off the field, investing in young talent, professional infrastructure, and strong
community ties throughout the Carolinas.

## **Anthem RC: Highlights from the Previous Season**

The most recent season marked another important step forward for Anthem RC:

 * Continued development of **USA-qualified players**, with multiple athletes progressing
   into national team pathways
 * Competitive performances against established USMLR franchises
 * Expanded community engagement and fan support across home fixtures
 * Ongoing investment in training environments and high-performance resources

While results are only part of the journey, Anthem RC’s steady progress and commitment
to growth set a strong foundation for the seasons ahead.

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## **2026 USMLR Season Overview**

The **2026 Major League Rugby season** is expected to kick off in **late March 2026**,
running through early June as part of the league’s regular-season schedule.

### **Season Format**

 * **Total Regular-Season Matches:** 10
 * **Home Matches:** 5
 * **Away Matches:** 5
 * **Competition:** USA Major League Rugby (USMLR)

Anthem RC will face every other league opponent once during the regular season, 
offering a balanced mix of home and away fixtures.

👉 **2026 Fixtures:** [Anthem RC 2026 Fixtures](https://anthemrc.com/new-schedule/)

## **Why This Partnership Matters**

Through this partnership, Pillar Sports will support Anthem RC with **professional-
grade athletic taping and sports performance solutions** designed to help players:

 * Train with confidence
 * Perform at the highest level
 * Reduce injury risk throughout the season

This collaboration reflects a shared belief that **preparation, protection, and 
performance** are essential at the professional level.

## **Partnership Quotes**

### **Anthem RC**

_“Our partnership with Pillar Sports Tape represents a collaboration that is committed
to supporting our athletes’ performance and durability at the highest level. As 
we prepare for the 2026 MLR season, having reliable products that prioritize stability,
recovery, and player confidence is essential. We’re excited to align with a company
that understands the physical demands of professional rugby and is invested in helping
our athletes perform at their best week in and week out.”_

_**Michael T Sheridan, ATC, CSCS, Lead Athletic Trainer, USA Eagles MXV | Anthem
RC**

### **Pillar Sports**

_“After two years of supporting the competition, Anthem Rugby is proud to officially
partner with Major League Rugby. We are energized by MLR’s dynamic vision—including
its commitment to homegrown talent through the MLR Academy and the landmark MLR 
Super Draft—as it elevates professional rugby in North America. Our brand, built
for the world’s toughest sports, aligns perfectly with the grit and passion of MLR
athletes. We look forward to deepening our support for the league, its teams, and
the vibrant rugby community as we grow together.”__

**— Brendan Ireland, CEO, Pillar Sports**

## **What We’re Looking Forward To in 2026**

As the 2026 season approaches, we’re excited to:

 * Support Anthem RC throughout a full USMLR campaign
 * See continued growth from emerging American rugby talent
 * Collaborate on performance-focused content and education
 * Engage fans through matchday moments, behind-the-scenes access, and shared storytelling

This partnership is about more than a season — it’s about **building something lasting
for the future of rugby**.

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## **Stay Connected**

Follow along throughout the 2026 season for match updates, partnership content, 
and exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage.

👉 **Learn more about our partners:**[ https://pillarsports.com👉 **Follow Anthem RC:**[ https://anthemrc.com](https://anthemrc.com/)