The New York Knights are a semi-professional rugby league football team based in New York City that currently plays in the USA Rugby League. They played their home games at Pier 40 in Hudson River Park.
Originally known as the New York Broncos, the team was founded in 1997 and joined the league eventually known as the American National Rugby League (AMNRL) for its inaugural 1998 season. They adopted their current name in 2001 after forming a team partnership with the Newcastle Knights of Australia's National Rugby League, who sent them jerseys. The Knights competed in the AMNRL until it folded in 2014, and joined the USARL the following year. In the AMNRL, they won season championships in 2002, 2009, 2011, and 2012.
The club went into hiatus in 2019. In March of 2026, Super League club York Knights announced the partnership and revival of the club and its brand. They will rejoin the USA Rugby League as a member of the Rugby League United Conference (Northeast RL).
History The team was founded in 1997. Originally known as the New York Broncos, they joined Super League America, the predecessor to the modern American National Rugby League, for its inaugural 1998 season. In 2001, the Knights and other teams in the competition departed to form the AMNRL. All teams formed a partnership with teams in Australia's National Rugby League. New York formed a partnership with the Newcastle Knights, who sent them Knights jerseys; the team subsequently changed their name to the New York Knights.
The Knights advanced to the AMNRL Grand Final in 2002. A serious thunderstorm interrupted the game, and the Knights, who were leading perennial champions the Glen Mills Bulls 18-12, were declared winners. This was the first time any team besides the Bulls had taken the Grand Final. The Knights made several other playoff appearances, and defeated the Jacksonville Axemen to win the 2009 AMNRL Grand Final. The Knights have provided a total of nine players to the United States national rugby league team to date, as well as one to Japan."New York Knights". amnrl.com. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
The Knights remained in the AMNRL until it folded in 2014. The following year, they joined the USA Rugby League, along with other surviving AMNRL clubs.
Uniform and colors Since 2001 the Knights have based their uniforms and team colors on those of the Newcastle Knights of the NRL, due to their team partnership. Following Newcastle, their colors are white, red, and blue, and the uniforms are predominantly blue. For the 2006 and 2007 seasons the club's major jersey sponsor was Guinness.
Stadium The Knights currently use the Pier 40, Hudson River Park Stadium in Hudson River Park as their home ground. The stadium is sometimes referred to as The Castle because of the architecture and surrounding river, give the park a Castle like appearance.
Hiatus and revival The Knights went into hiatus in 2019. In 2026, newly promoted Super League club York Knights announced a partnership and revival of the club and its brand. The club will assume their logo and colors. They'll re-enter USA Rugby League's National Competition as a member of the Northeast division (Rugby League United). An open combine will be held to help the process to select the club's 2026 roster.
Team History New York Knights Team History (2002 - onwards)C = Champions R = Runner Up F = Finished First P = Playoffs L = Last PlaceCompetitionGames PlayedGames WonGames DrawnGames LostLadder PositionCRFPLNotes2002 AMNRL seasonRecord unknownCPW Grand Final v Glen Mills Bulls, 18–122003 AMNRL seasonRecord unknown2004 AMNRL season2005 AMNRL season2006 AMNRL season6th of 11P2007 AMNRL season95134th of 102008 AMNRL season5th of 102009 AMNRL season87012nd of 11CP2010 AMNRL season64124th of 11P2011 AMNRL season76011st of 6CFP2012 AMNRL season76011st of 6CFP2013 AMNRL season76012nd of 6RPL Grand Final v New Haven, 42–182014: AMNRL Season canceled, league & federation folds2015 USARL season830510th of 14Missed playoffs2016 USARL season87012nd of 14PL North Semifinal vs Boston, 19–122017 USARL season88001st of 12FP2018 USARL season4th of 7PL North Championship SF v Brooklyn Kings2019–2025: Club on hiatus2026To be determined
Honors AMNRL Championship titles: 4 2002, 2009, 2011, 2012 Mother's Day Sevens: 1 2001 North East Division: 1 2016
See also
Rugby league in the United States List of sports clubs inspired by others
References
External links