D.C.'s Professional Rugby Team Moves To Leesburg's Segra Field

LEESBURG, VA — The D.C. metro area's professional rugby team is moving to Leesburg where it will play its home games at Segra Field starting in March 2021. The team, Old Glory DC, will bid farewell to Catholic University's Cardinal Stadium, which the team called home for the past two years.

Established in 2018, Old Glory DC competes in Major League Rugby, a North American league that includes teams in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, Houston, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Austin, Seattle, Los Angeles and Dallas. The team was founded by local business leaders and rugby players Chris Dunlavey and Paul Sheehy.

"As we introduce new fans in our area to rugby, it is so important that we present the game in its pure form and in a truly professional venue that allows for our family-friendly, fan-first match day style," Old Glory Chairman Chris Dunlavey said Thursday in a statement. "Segra Field is simply beautiful. Our players and coaches are already in love with the field and support facilities, and it is only a matter of time until our supporters feel the same way about the venue and its surroundings."

The move to the Leesburg stadium establishes a working relationship between Old Glory DC and D.C. United. Segra Field is home to the Major League Soccer team’s United Soccer League side,
Loudoun United FC.

Old Glory officials said they are eager to become part of the Leesburg and Loudoun County communities. “We understand this will be a longer drive for some, especially Marylanders like myself,” Old Glory owner Paul Sheehy said. “It was a difficult decision to leave the wonderful experience Old Glory fans have enjoyed for two seasons at Cardinal Stadium."

Sheehy said he believes the drive to Leesburg will be worth it for the team's fans in D.C. and Maryland. With 5,000 seats and tailgating areas, Old Glory DC fans will now have one of the premier venues in Major League Rugby, he said. Segra Field also has a beer garden and kids’ play zone.

In 2019, the Scottish Rugby Union joined the partnership, committing both financial investment and operational support to the organization. The 2021 Major League Rugby season kicks off on March 20, 2021.