Expansion, departures, relocation, and return of the Western Conference 2026 will see the USARL expand to 19 (later to 18) clubs and a return to the West Coast of the US with the Western Conference reinstated. The URLA (Utah Rugby League Association) continues to operate independently until the two parties reach an agreement.
Los Angeles Mongrel and West LA Jackrabbits will not officially participate in the league. The West expands to nine teams with the return of
Los Angeles Bandidos & Sacramento Immortals, the entry of
916ers Rugby (later merged with Sacramento Immortals)
, and the addition of
Bay Area 808s and the West LA Renegades, who are associated with the Wide Bay Renegades in
Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. This will also be the first official league season of the
Los Angeles Roosters, which is operated by USARL partner and NRL club
Sydney Roosters. In the Eastern Conference, the
2017 national champions,
Atlanta Rhinos, pulled out of the season; it is currently unknown whether they will return to play in the future or if the club has officially folded. The
Southwest Florida Copperheads, originally founded in
Naples, FL, have moved to
Atlanta, GA, and rebranded as the
Atlanta Copperheads. The conference expands to 10 teams with the entry of the Sarasota Bull Sharks from
Sarasota, FL and the return of the four-time national champion, the
New York Knights, after the
Super League club,
York Knights, announced a partnership and the revival of the club and its brand. The competition format will be announced in the coming days and weeks. == Teams ==