After its courting of professional cricket fizzled, George Mason University has scored an entirely different pro sports league.
George Mason Stadium on the university’s Fairfax campus will serve as the new home of Old Glory DC, the region’s Major League Rugby team, hosting all regular season and playoff matches starting in 2026.
Relocating from the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Maryland, Old Glory is looking to expand its reach in its eighth season after reaching the playoffs in back-to-back years, officials said when announcing the move on Monday (Nov. 10).
“Old Glory DC is excited to bring professional rugby to George Mason University,” Old Glory DC Chairman Chris Dunlavey said. “… Hosting matches at George Mason Stadium will give us a tremendous opportunity to host a vibrant community of students, local businesses and an energetic fanbase at one of the DMV’s truly great institutions.”
Dunlavey noted that the relocation will build on an existing partnership with Mason, whose Field 4 has served as a training site for its players “for years.”
Old Glory also played a rain-drenched match at Mason Stadium on May 13 when Maryland SoccerPlex was unable to accommodate the team’s schedule, according to Robyn Remick, the general manager of business affairs for Old Glory.
“We were impressed that even for a Tuesday night game in horrible weather … we still drew over 1,400 fans,” Remick said in a statement to FFXnow. “That lead to additional conversations with the athletic department regarding moving 2026 home games to Mason.”
Located next to the GMU Field House (4501 University Drive), George Mason Stadium features a grass pitch and an outdoor running track with stands that can seat 4,500 people. In addition to the university’s athletic teams, the facility has hosted NCAA championships and practices for the U.S. men’s and women’s soccer teams.
According to a press release, the stadium will offer rugby fans an expanded beer garden, “improved” food and drink concessions, and a “Merchant’s Row” featuring local pop-up vendors from across the region.
GMU Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis said the university is “thrilled to welcome Old Glory DC” to its Fairfax campus.
“This partnership underscores our commitment to bringing premier sports experiences to our students, alumni, and fans across Northern Virginia — while showcasing our world-class facilities and the vibrant community spirit that defines Mason,” he said in the release.
While Mason’s grounds are located in Fairfax County, nearby Fairfax City hopes to benefit from the influx of rugby fans that each match will bring.
“With Old Glory DC playing just minutes from our downtown, we look forward to collaborating with the Old Town Fairfax Business Association to extend the game-day experience — inviting fans to stay, dine and enjoy all that Fairfax City has to offer during the 2026 season and beyond,” Fairfax City Economic Development tourism specialist Stephanie Gerson said.
Founded in 2018 by Dunlavey and fellow rugby player and D.C.-area resident Paul Sheehy, Old Glory competes in Major League Rugby’s Eastern Conference against teams based in Boston, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans and Charlotte, North Carolina.
It finished the 2025 season third in the conference with an 8-8 record, sufficient to qualify for the playoffs. The team was eliminated in the conference semi-finals with a 27-16 loss against the Chicago Hounds on June 14.
Major League Rugby hasn’t announced a 2026 schedule yet, but its regular season typically spans 16 matches from late February through early June, followed by a three-round postseason that culminates with a championship final in late June.
