Buffalo Group Signs Rugby Letter of Intent
The Buffalo Thunderbolts ownership group seeks a spot in Major League Rugby as an expansion team.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Soccer
Live Poll
Should Buffalo use public money to help build a new professional sports stadium?
Major League Rugby signed a letter of intent with the Buffalo Thunderbolts ownership group, led by Joe DiPasquale and Mark Winokur, as the group seeks to join the league as an expansion team for its 2028 season. The group must still find a venue and finalize ownership and business plans with the league to confirm an expansion spot.
Why it matters
Major League Rugby has shrunk from 11 teams in 2025 to six in 2026 and currently has five, so a new Buffalo team would help the league rebuild its footprint. The league is aiming for 12 teams by 2031, a target that comes as the U.S. prepares to host the 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup.
Major League Rugby has five teams, down from 11 in 2025 and six in 2026. The league targets 12 teams by 2031, but the Buffalo group must still secure a venue and finalize its plans before an expansion spot is confirmed.
The players
Major League Rugby
Major League Rugby is a professional rugby union league in the United States, formed in 2018, that has seen its team count fluctuate in recent seasons.
Joe DiPasquale
Joe DiPasquale is a co-leader of the Buffalo Thunderbolts ownership group pursuing a place in Major League Rugby.
Mark Winokur
Mark Winokur is a co-leader of the Buffalo Thunderbolts ownership group pursuing a place in Major League Rugby.
The details
The Buffalo Thunderbolts ownership group signed a letter of intent with the league, which must still approve its ownership and business plans. Buffalo Pro Soccer will not play in 2027 while it searches for a new stadium location.
Timeline
2018: Major League Rugby was formed.
2025: The league had 11 teams.
2026: The league had six teams.
2027: Buffalo Pro Soccer will not play.
2028: A possible Buffalo expansion team could begin its first season.
Season Trajectory
The proposed Buffalo team would help Major League Rugby recover from its drop from 11 teams in 2025 to five today. It also fits the league's goal of reaching 12 teams by 2031, the year the U.S. hosts the Men's Rugby World Cup.
A confirmed Buffalo team would add a regional rugby option for local fans and a new club for the league's remaining rosters. The team's arrival would depend on the group securing a stadium and final league approval.
The takeaway
Buffalo's bid shows how Major League Rugby is trying to rebuild after losing half its teams, with its success tied to a stadium deal and league approval. Watch for those two milestones before assuming a 2028 debut.
What happens next
The Buffalo ownership group must find a venue and finalize ownership and business plans with Major League Rugby to confirm an expansion spot for its potential 2028 season.
Further reading
For more on the league's shifting lineup, see Soccer coverage across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wivb4.
Live Poll
Should Buffalo use public money to help build a new professional sports stadium?
