Rugby Premier League is a professional Rugby League organized by Rugby India which is governing body responsible for organizing Operational stuff related to this sport in the country.
The League was founded in 2024, it will be franchise based league, where six teams will compete against each other for the marquee event.
There are six teams which include the likes of- Mumbai Dreamers, Bengaluru Bravehearts, Hyderabad Heroes, Chennai Bullz, Delhi Raids, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers and Mumbai Dreamers.
The teams are owned by- Bengaluru Bravehearts by Manipal Education and Medical Group.
Chennai Bulls owned by AVID Sports, a division by AVIDSys Group
Delhi Redz owned by Family owned alternative by assets company RMZ.
Hyderabad Heroes owned by KLO Sports
Kalinga Black Tigers owned by Hunch Ventures
Mumbai Dreamers owned by Dream Sports
You can catch all the action live on Star Sports Channel and the same Jiohotstar app.
The draft system will work for Rugby Premier League 1st edition to be shared in the below format:
Each Rugby Premier League will consist of 13 players, which will include 5 current Indian players and 3 International Players which include- Hong Kong, Germany and Canada.
The management team will include- Head Coach, Indian Assistant Coach, Physiotherapist, Massage Therapist and Team Manager.
All the matches will be played at 6 venues which include- Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bhubneshwar and Mumbai.
Distinct Coaches who will be guiding these teams in The Upcoming Rugby League to be shared below:
1. Francisco Hernandez (Bengaluru )
2. Ben Gollings(Chennai)
3. Delhi (Tomasi Cama)
4. Hyderabad(DJ Forbes)
5. Mike Friday(Kalinga Black Tigers)
6.Tim Walsh(Mumbai)
More Details about Rubgy Premier League in India:
1. Rugby Premier League will start from 15th June 2025, India will make history with the launch of the Marquee event which will be 7a side tournament.
2. The tournament will take place in Mumbai Football Arena, the tournament is organized by Rugby India in association with GMR Sports, the groundbreakng tournament promises, which will make polices to elevate sports in the country.
3. With 34 matches featuring six city based franchise- Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers and Mumbai Dreamers the Rugby Premier League is poised to redefine the future of Rugby in India.
4. For the first time India will host Players from 30 different International countries which include- Argentina, South Africa, Spain, Kenya, Great Britian, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Fiji, and Ireland.
5. Some of the standout names of players which include- Perry Baker a two time World Rugby 7 player of the year also Rosko Speckman a two time Olympian player from South Africa.
6. Some of the best India talent includng the likes of- Mohit Khatri acquired by Bengaluru Bravehearts for 4.75 Lakhs.
7. The fusion of World Class athletes along with Indian players make this league successful.
8. Rugby is an Olympic sport since 2016, since then it has been expedite and became one of the fast growing sports in the world.
9. The game is known for its speed, skill and dynamic play and the league like Rugby Premier League will create pathway for young Indian players to make their Olympic dream successful.
10. Rahul Bose acclaimed actor and President of Rugby India stated while talking to distinct media outlets “The Rugby Premier League is a game-changer for India, with support from World Rugby and GMR expertise we will exponentially take this league to next level.
11. The League comprises with each franchise have 5 Marquee International level players, 5 Indian local Players and 3 Bridge players who will be competing in all six franchise to win this prestigious event.
12. The league is critical for making Country strengthen position in Rugby sports.
13. The Rugby Indian Affliation to the Indian Olympic Assocation and its recongnition in Ministry of Youth and Sports, Rugby Premier League is capable of leading competitive national team capable of challenge on a global stage.
14. The league will mark the start of providing the platform to some of the states and players originating from that sport, including the likes of- Karnataka, Odhisha, Haryana, Maharastra and West Bengal these regions have produced significant Rugby Talent with grassroot programs and school inititives fostering a growing player base.
15. From 2016 onwards, 57,000 registered players including 7160 women have participated in Khelo India Women Rugby League. Odisha is emerged as major hub of organizing the marquee event, some of the top class female players have come up the ranks to emerge winner of this contest.
16. The RPL inclusions of Bhubnneshwar tigers is a perfect testament to it, and the league will polish some of the exciting talents from all over India.
17. The Rugby Premier League have grasp the attention some of the top World Class Coaches which include- Mike Friday(USA 7s) , Ben Gollings(Fiji 7s), DJ Forbes(New Zealand) , Tomas Cama(Fiji), Paco Hernandez (Spain) and Tim Walsh(Australian Women’s team) where they will impart their best lessons in order to ensure that their side win this contest.
18. Each team include Indian Assistant Coach, Physiotherapist,massage therapist and team manager and ensuring managerial setup that supports player development.
19. The league will be played in double round robin format matches that will be broadcasted live on Star Sports and telecasted on Jiohotstar on OTT platform, which will bring some of the most exciting matches on the table.
20. Each match will last for 22 minutes, with 4 minute quarters which will promise fast paced action which will make this league interesting.
21. The Mumbai Football Arena, hosting all 34 matches from 15th June onwards.
22. 20-25 Crore investment have been done in the inaugural league and CEO Satyma Dwivedi stated that we are planning to build this league like IPL as the sport is exciting and talent is up for display where the best of the business compete against each other for the marquee event.
23. Rugby Premier League will focus on building bold narrative, to change Indian Sporting landscape,by fostering grassroot development, providing a platform for local talent and leveraging global expertise the league inspired next generation of players to take up this.
24. Captain Harry Mcnulty, Kalinga Black Tigers stated “Rugby as sport is needed a country who can invest in this game and make it one of the most popular sport in the world with India considering the market size we have that”
25. Rugby Premier League have certainly potential to become India’s top most tier league standing with the likes of IPL and PKL.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q-1: Which format Rugby Premier League will be played and how many players will compete in this tournament?
Answer: Rugby Premier League will be played 7a side and it will be based on double round robin format.
Q-2: How many players teams have acquired ? How many teams are participating in this marquee event?
Answer: 13 players have been picked by every side and six teams are participating in this marquee event.
Q-3: Which Indian Actor is currently Rugby President?
Answer: Rahul Bose is currently president of Rugby India.
Overall Sports Ministry and distinct stakeholders should be given credit to organize more franchise based league in India so that players from distinct sporting disciplines can come up the ranks and make name for themselves and do wonders for themselves.
Rugby is very popular game in South Africa and New Zealand having an expertise from there would certainly help this league to grow at larger level.
Telcasting of Rubgy Premier League will once again make laymen understand the nuances of the game to exponential level.
