The highly anticipated inaugural season of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) has officially announced JioStar and Star Sports as its broadcast partners. Scheduled to take place from June 1–15 at the Brihanmumbai Kreeda Ani Lalitkala Pratishthan Andheri Sports Complex (Mumbai Football Arena), the tournament marks a landmark moment for rugby in India.
Organised by Rugby India in collaboration with GMR Sports, the RPL will feature six city-based franchises:
- Mumbai Dreamers
- Delhi Redz
- Bengaluru Bravehearts
- Chennai Bulls
- Hyderabad Heroes
- Kalinga Black Tigers
The league follows the Rugby 7s format, a fast-paced, action-packed version of the sport perfectly suited for television and digital audiences.
A Global Stage for Indian Rugby
With the support of World Rugby, a dedicated 15-day window has been carved out in the international calendar to ensure global participation. As a result, the RPL will host 30 marquee international players from top Rugby 7s nations, including:
- New Zealand
- Australia
- South Africa
- Fiji
- Argentina
- Great Britain
- Ireland
- USA
- Spain
An additional 18 international players from countries such as Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong will also join the competition. Complementing this global talent, the league will feature 30 Indian players selected from an auction pool of 71 — offering them a unique platform to compete with and learn from the world’s best.
World-Class Coaching Line-up
The RPL will be mentored by some of the sport’s most revered names, including:
- Mike Friday (Former USA 7s Head Coach)
- Ben Gollings (England 7s Legend, Former Fiji 7s Coach)
- DJ Forbes (New Zealand 7s Icon)
- Tomasi Cama (New Zealand 7s Head Coach)
- Paco Hernandez (Spain 7s Head Coach)
- Tim Walsh (Australia Women’s 7s Head Coach)
Voices from the Leadership
Satyam Trivedi, CEO of GMR Sports, commented:
“The Rugby Premier League is a pivotal step toward elevating rugby in India. With the best of global and Indian talent, top-tier coaches, and incredible support from our franchise owners and broadcast partners, RPL is poised to redefine the sport in our country. We’re proud to play a role in rugby’s growth, especially as it gains more visibility as an Olympic sport.”
Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, added:
“This league has been six years in the making, and we wanted to get every detail right. Thanks to World Rugby, we secured an exclusive window to ensure participation from top international players. With GMR Sports, smart franchise owners, and JioHotstar on board, we’re ready to introduce Rugby 7s to Indian audiences like never before. It’s fast, it’s fierce, and it’s made for TV.”
Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports, JioStar, said:
“We’re thrilled to be the official broadcast partner for the RPL. Rugby 7s is one of the most exciting formats in global sport, and this league promises edge-of-the-seat action. At JioHotstar, we aim to deliver every sprint, tackle, and try to millions of Indian fans, setting a new benchmark for sports entertainment.”
With 34 high-intensity matches packed into 15 days and a blend of international stardom and homegrown talent, the Rugby Premier League is set to usher in a new era for the sport in India — on the ground and across screens.
