The Chicago Hounds open their 2026 season April 12 against the Carolina Anthems at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, bringing back a defending championship team with a star center locked in and a full coaching staff in place.
The Hounds won the East Coast championship last year and are returning to the 7000 S. Harlem Ave. venue, their home since 2023. Head Coach Chris Latham, who led the team to its most successful season in franchise history, is back for his second year.
“Coming off our record-breaking season last year, we have many returning players and a great fan base,” Hounds Club CEO James English said. “Our hopes are high for the 2026 year.”
Center Ollie Devoto, a 32-year-old Englishman who earned Second-Team All-Major League Rugby honors in 2025, signed a contract extension to remain with the team. Devoto appeared in all 16 games last season, starting every one, and led the team with 196 ball carries. He recorded eight clean line breaks, 52 beaten defenders, and three tries for 15 points.
Defensively, Devoto completed 154 tackles, including 16 dominant tackles—a new Chicago Hounds single-season record. He earned the 2025 Chicago Hounds Back of the Year award.
“With Campbell’s retirement, that partnership will have a new look heading into the 2026 campaign,” the team said, referring to Devoto’s former midfield partner Bryce Campbell. The Hounds have added capped-Eagle Tavite Lopeti, former San Diego Legion standout Tiaan Loots, and versatile back Santiago Videla to compete for starting positions.
Latham’s coaching staff includes returning Forwards Coach Todd Dammers and Backs Coach Noel Reid. Last season, Dammers’ forward pack finished second in the league in lineout win percentage at 89.1% and posted a 79.9% tackle completion rate. Reid’s backs group finished second in ball carries with 2,312 and scored 62 tries.
Matthew Wagner was promoted to Assistant Coach after two seasons as Team Manager and Senior Academy Head Coach.
Last season, the Hounds posted their first double-digit regular season win total and reached their second consecutive Eastern Conference Championship game. They finished with a club-record eight All-MLR selections. Under Latham’s tutelage, first-round draft pick Peyton Wall earned MLR’s Rookie of the Year honors.
The Hounds will play 10 games this spring—four at home. Season ticket packages start at $40 for youth under 12 and $150 for adults. Individual game tickets are available for as little as $20 each through the team’s website at chicagohounds.com/tickets.