Rugby United New York was founded in April 2018 by James Kennedy, owner of Murphy Kennedy Group a New York construction management company and
John Layfield, a retired
WWE professional wrestler and the founder of a nonprofit organization called Beyond Rugby Bermuda. In its 2018 exhibition season, RUNY was led by former
USA men's national team coach
Mike Tolkin, and assistant coaches Bruce McLane (former coach of
New York Athletic Club RFC), Andrew Britt, and Vili Vakasisikakala. The team played its first match on March 17, 2018, at
Mazzella Field in
New Rochelle, New York. New York defeated the Ontario Arrows by a score of 36–19. New York defeated Mystic River by a score of 50–0. signed
Kees Lensing as the team's forwards coach, and named James English as general manager.
Tiffany Faʻaeʻe was signed as Assistant Coach. On November 7, 2018, RUNY announced that
MCU Park in Brooklyn would be their home field for their first full season. On April 12, 2021, the club announced that they would begin the season at
Cochrane Stadium in
Jersey City, NJ. The club would end up splitting their home fields between Cochrane Stadium and
Belson Stadium in
Queens, NY. In January 2023, Rugby New York announced that Memorial Field in
Mount Vernon, NY would be their home field. On December 6, 2023, it was announced that the Iron Workers would not compete in the 2024 MLR season. ==Broadcasts==