CLUB STATEMENT: MLR Cancels 2020 Season, Turns Attention to 2021

Following Major League Rugby’s announcement that all remaining 2020 matches are cancelled, Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club senior leadership provided the following statement:

“While making the decision to end the 2020 season was incredibly tough, the health and safety of our players, staff, and fans remained paramount throughout the MLR Board of Governors’ decision-making process, and guided the difficult choice that is in the best interest of all stakeholders.

I’m so proud of what our players, coaches, and staff have accomplished this year. This is a special group with big aspirations, both in terms of bringing the MLR Shield north to Canada, as well as growing the sport across our city, province, and nation. While our 2020 season may have concluded, I know our desire to achieve our goals will only grow stronger.

We’re working hard to ensure our players have the resources they need over the coming weeks, including prioritizing mental health support and finding solutions for our international players to safely return home. These efforts are being followed in accordance with guidelines set by the league’s medical task force and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Along with all our fellow teams across Major League Rugby, we’ll now be focusing our energies on delivering a bigger and better season in 2021.

Thank you to our passionate fans for their ongoing support. You’ve been behind us through thick and thin, and we can’t wait to play for you for many years to come.”

Bill Webb
President and General Partner
Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club

“I want to applaud the efforts of all our players and coaches this season. Time and again they demonstrated a willingness to go above and beyond, whether it was during training sessions, in the weight room, or on the pitch.

This group had the workrate, attitude, and momentum to make a strong push for the MLR Shield, and I’m fully confident these strong attributes will carry over to the coming seasons. Beyond that, the culture developed within this team is rock-solid – strong enough to overcome the outcomes brought on by these unprecedented times.

The cancellation of the league’s 2020 season is a step back in order to move two steps forward. We all remain motivated to deliver a championship to Canada, and those fires only burn brighter as we turn our attention to 2021 and beyond.”

Mark Winokur
Vice President and General Manager
Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club

How does the 2020 Season Cancellation Impact Ticket Holders?

2020 Founders Club Memberships will carry over to next season at the equivalent ticket category. Year one of Founders Club Memberships will defer to the 2021 MLR season, and patrons will have the option to keep the same price for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

2020 Season Ticket Holders will carry over to next season at the equivalent ticket category and price.

If Founders Club Members and Season Ticket Holders choose to keep their current status for the 2021 season, they will be provided complimentary tickets (general admission seating) to any home exhibition match played prior to the start of the 2021 regular season.

All 2020 single game ticket purchases will be refunded to patrons in the next few weeks to the original method of payment.

Major League Rugby and the Toronto Arrows are committed to a “fan first” policy. Should you want a refund at any point we will process it for you. Please email Neil MacDougall, Director of Ticketing, at [email protected] to document your request. These will be processed within a week from the original date of request.

#ToPlayAnotherDay

Full press release here https://t.co/PJKh1JUwwQ

MLR 2020: Virtual still kicks off this Friday at https://t.co/RReOA9FMbr

❗️And stay tuned for exciting news about MLR 2021, just around the corner. pic.twitter.com/CdlG7yX7DM

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) March 19, 2020

DALLAS  [March 19, 2020] – Major League Rugby (MLR) announced that all remaining 2020 matches are cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 global crisis and the health and safety guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“On behalf of MLR and all of our teams, I am saddened to announce that the remainder of the 2020 season is cancelled. We believe it is ultimately the correct decision as we factored in health and safety risks for all parties,” said MLR Commissioner George Killebrew, “I want to ensure our fans that there is no doubt MLR will be back in 2021 and will emerge bigger and better than ever before. We will be using this time as an opportunity to grow all aspects of MLR and we’re excited to continue this journey into 2021, and for many years to come.”

MLR will return for the 2021 season. Aside from MLR 2020: Virtual that premiers this Friday, fans can continue to expect exciting initiatives in the coming months.