🏉 Rugby Premier League Set to Debut in India: A Game-Changer for Indian Rugby - 2025 - Bringing You the Greatest Moments in Sports

India is all set to make history with the launch of the world’s first franchise-based Rugby Sevens league — the Rugby Premier League (RPL). Spearheaded by Rugby India in collaboration with GMR Sports, this bold initiative aims to bring the high-octane excitement of Rugby Sevens to Indian audiences while establishing the country as a rising force in global rugby.

RPL 2025: India’s Tryst with Rugby Stardom

Scheduled to run from June 1 to June 15, 2025, the Rugby Premier League will be held entirely at the Mumbai Football Arena. The tournament will feature six city-based franchises, each competing in a fast-paced format that’s tailor-made for modern audiences.

League Format:

6 Teams, 34 Matches
Double Round Robin + Knockouts
Matches will be 22 minutes long (4 quarters x 4 mins + intervals)
Top 4 teams qualify for the semifinals
Final and 3rd place match to close the league

🏙️ Teams Participating in RPL 2025

Bengaluru Bravehearts
Chennai Bulls
Delhi Redz
Hyderabad Heroes
Kalinga Black Tigers (representing Bhubaneswar)
Mumbai Dreamers

These teams have been strategically named and positioned to maximize regional interest and build strong city-based fan loyalty, similar to the IPL model.

🌍 Star Power: International & Indian Talent Combined

Each team will consist of a 13-player squad, with a unique mix of global stars and homegrown talent:

5 International Marquee Players from top rugby nations (New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, etc.)
3 International Bridge Players from emerging rugby nations like Germany, Kenya, and Hong Kong
5 Elite Indian Players, handpicked from Rugby India’s national and developmental squads

This structure aims to elevate the level of competition while also mentoring Indian athletes through global exposure.

🧠 The Vision Behind the League

Rahul Bose, the former India captain and current president of Rugby India, has been the driving force behind RPL. Speaking at the launch, he said:

“RPL is not just a league; it is a movement to ignite the rugby revolution in India. We want to build an ecosystem that makes India a competitive rugby nation by the next decade.”

This vision is supported by World Rugby, which has praised the initiative as a forward-thinking model for expanding the sport into untapped markets.

🎯 Why Rugby Sevens?

Rugby Sevens, a shorter and faster version of traditional rugby, was chosen for its accessibility and viewer-friendly format:

Games are short and intense
Easier to broadcast in short time windows
Appeals to newer audiences unfamiliar with full-length rugby matches

India’s strength in agility-based sports and the growing fitness culture make it a promising base for developing rugby athletes.

🚀 What’s at Stake?

The success of the RPL could:

Lay the foundation for India’s qualification for future Olympics and Rugby Sevens World Cups
Inspire thousands of young Indians to take up the sport
Create a commercial ecosystem for rugby similar to that of cricket and kabaddi
Bring international attention and investment into Indian sports beyond cricket

📅 Countdown Begins

With just weeks to go, the Rugby Premier League promises to be a watershed moment for Indian sports. As the franchises begin training camps and unveil their squads, fans across the nation can gear up for a sporting spectacle like no other.