New England Free Jacks

What New England Free Jacks does

The New England Free Jacks is a professional rugby union franchise competing in Major League Rugby (MLR), founded in 2018 as one of the league's initial expansion teams and headquartered at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, Massachusetts. The franchise is chartered to represent all six New England states, with an active fan-chapter and pub-partner network extending its regional footprint, including a partnership in Portland, Maine. The Free Jacks are the league's reigning dynasty, having won three consecutive MLR championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025, making them the most decorated active franchise in North American professional rugby.

The business operates a sports franchise model with diversified revenue streams: matchday ticketing through SeatGeek, season memberships, merchandise via Shopify-powered e-commerce, corporate sponsorships, and broadcast/media partnerships including NBC Sports Boston. Named sponsorship categories span insurance (Arbella), travel (Delta), beverage (Guinness), consumer products (Dude Wipes), state government/lottery (Massachusetts State Lottery), and regional media. The technology stack is standard mid-market SaaS (HubSpot for CRM, EventBrite for events, Shopify for retail, SeatGeek for ticketing) with no disclosed proprietary platform development.

The franchise has invested heavily in community programming through the Impact Free Jack charitable platform, the Veterans Voice initiative, a youth rugby pipeline via the Boston Irish Wolfhounds partnership, more than 200 school visits, and reported distribution of over 500,000 pounds of food. Ownership remains anchored by co-founder Errik Anderson; co-founder Alex Magleby has transitioned to MLR co-President, and the franchise named Todd Thornley as General Manager for the 2026 season, replacing TK Kindley.

Name

New England Free Jacks

Legal name

Major League Rugby (operates New England Free Jacks team)

Website

https://freejacks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The New England Free Jacks is a professional rugby union franchise in Major League Rugby, founded in 2018 and based in Quincy, Massachusetts. As three-time defending MLR champions, the team represents all six New England states through matchday events, sponsorships, merchandise, and community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Rugby Sports Entertainment

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Rugby (Union & League) Leagues (MPAKAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional Live Sports Leagues & Tours (MPAGAMAA), Team & League Branded Merchandise Retail (Non-Apparel) (CRAMAOAF)

Keywords

• Professional rugby team
• Major League Rugby franchise
• Live sports entertainment
• Rugby youth academy
• Team merchandise sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Quincy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Matchday Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual game tickets sold through SeatGeek platform and season memberships offering priority access and exclusive benefits
2. Season Memberships: Recurring revenue from annual season membership packages providing access to all home matches with exclusive perks
3. Merchandise and Apparel: E-commerce sales through ProShop including performance collections, jerseys, hats, and accessories
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership revenue from brands including Arbella, Delta, Guinness, and Dude Wipes displayed at stadium and across digital platforms

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The New England Free Jacks operate a professional rugby franchise competing in Major League Rugby (MLR), delivering live matchday entertainment at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, MA. Core commercial offerings include individual match tickets and season memberships, group ticket experiences, and team merchandise through the ProShop. Supporting offerings include youth rugby academy programs, themed festival matchday events, community impact initiatives (Impact Free Jack, Veterans Voice), and corporate sponsorship packages.

Product overview

The New England Free Jacks is Greater Boston's professional rugby team competing in Major League Rugby (MLR) as a three-time defending champion. The organization's product portfolio centers on live entertainment experiences at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, MA, encompassing themed festival gamedays, season memberships, and group ticket packages. Supporting offerings include the ProShop merchandise store, Academy youth development programs, Community Impact initiatives including the Impact Free Jack recognition program and Veterans Voice Radio, and the Build the Future workforce summit. The organization also produces digital media content across multiple platforms. All offerings are coordinated through integrations with SeatGeek (ticketing), Shopify (e-commerce), HubSpot (customer management), and Event Brite (event registration).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Major League Rugby Matchday Experiences
• Season Memberships

Quantifiable outcome

• Three consecutive MLR championship titles (2023-2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ArbellacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor partner with logo displayed prominently on website homepage. Insurance company providing marketing visibility across Free Jacks digital platforms and matchday presence.
• Delta Air LinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting partner for International Festival. Delta provides marketing partnership supporting international-themed matchday celebration at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
• GuinnesscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial beer sponsor with Guinness on tap at St. Patrick's Day Festival and various matchday events. Premium brand association with Free Jacks matchday experiences.
• Dude WipesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConsumer products sponsor featured on official website partner section. Provides marketing visibility in exchange for brand exposure to New England sports audience.
• NBC Sports BostoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial broadcast partner for Free Jacks matches. Provides live game coverage and connects team with regional sports audience through cable and streaming platforms.
• Massachusetts State LotterycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting partner for Impact Free Jack program. Joint initiative to highlight and reward everyday heroes who embody values of service and community across New England.
• WATD RadiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Veterans Voice radio program hosted by Gregg Brasso. WATD provides platform for veteran outreach and community impact initiatives through dedicated radio programming.
• Boston ScientificminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical technology company participating in Parkinson's Pavilion at annual Veterans Festival. Connects veterans with health resources and treatment information.
• Boston Irish WolfhoundscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic youth rugby partnership supporting development pathway for young athletes. Jennifer Fedin's administrative leadership connects youth programs with Free Jacks community initiatives.
• Portland Rugby ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Free Jacks Community Days series in Maine. Joint events bringing MLR Championship Shields on the road and hosting rugby clinics open to all ages.
• buildsubmarines.comcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner for Build the Future Innovation & Workforce Summit. Maritime and advanced manufacturing workforce experience collaboration with industry partners supporting talent development.
• General Dynamics Electric BoatminorOthersExhibitor at Build the Future Workforce Summit. Major submarine manufacturer engaging with students and workforce participants in maritime industry career exploration.
• WMEX BostonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoston sports radio partner providing media coverage and promotional support for Free Jacks news and events.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• USA Rugby: National governing body for rugby in the United States. Sets broader development pathways and youth pipeline that the Free Jacks' academy taps into; comparable as the institutional umbrella for the sport in the US.
• Major League Rugby: The parent league in which the Free Jacks operate. Listed as the parent entity in the company data and effectively sets the commercial framework (broadcast, scheduling, league economics) that shapes all franchise valuations.

Direct peers

• San Diego Legion: MLR franchise defeated by the Free Jacks in the 2023 championship. Comparable professional rugby operations in a different regional market.
• Old Glory DC: MLR franchise in Washington DC area. Direct league competitor sharing the Eastern Conference schedule with the Free Jacks.
• Seattle Seawolves: Fellow Major League Rugby franchise that the Free Jacks defeated in the 2024 MLR Championship. Competes in the same league with similar business model around matchday tickets, memberships, sponsorships, and merchandise.
• Rugby New York (NYRC): Major League Rugby franchise based in the Northeast. Closest geographic peer in the Eastern Conference with comparable matchday, membership, and sponsorship economics.
• Houston SaberCats: MLR franchise that lost to the Free Jacks 28-22 in the 2025 MLR Championship. Direct league competitor with parallel revenue streams from tickets, sponsorships, and merchandise.
• Chicago Hounds: Major League Rugby franchise based in Chicago. Comparable professional rugby team with similar revenue model structure around live events and sponsorships.
• Miami Sharks: Major League Rugby franchise operating in a major metropolitan market. Direct competitor in MLR with parallel business model.
• NOLA Gold: Major League Rugby franchise based in New Orleans. Comparable professional rugby operation competing in the same league structure.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/NEFreeJacks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwVBtF3ZH8UWV1F6wbneJDA
• Facebookfacebook.com/NEFreeJacks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-england-free-jacks-rugby-club
• Instagraminstagram.com/NEFreeJacks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New England Free Jacks