Mumbai, June 14 (UNI) The countdown for the inaugural edition of the GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL) – the world’s first franchise-based Rugby 7s league – has begun.
While the six franchises gear up for what promises to be a riveting tournament, the Rugby Premier League, organised by Rugby India in collaboration with GMR Sports, will unveil the official schedule for Season 1.
GMR RPL Season 1 commences on June 15, providing India’s finest rugby players with a platform to rub shoulders with the world’s best rugby players.
The league will feature 34 matches, including four days when three games will be played, while the remainder of the tournament will have two games on each day.
The grand finale is scheduled on June 29. All the matches will take place in Mumbai at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex (Andheri Sports Complex).
The founding franchises are Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers, and the Mumbai Dreamers.
The GMR RPL will welcome 30 marquee international players from powerhouse Rugby 7s nations, including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Argentina, Great Britain, Ireland, USA, and Spain.
Additionally, 18 international players from Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany will also join in, enhancing the league’s competitive depth. The league will also feature 30 Indian players selected from an auction pool of 71.
The league will also feature the best coaches in the sport, including Mike Friday (Former USA 7s Head Coach), Ben Gollings (England 7s Legend, Former Fiji 7s Head Coach), DJ Forbes (New Zealand 7s Icon), Tomasi Cama (New Zealand 7s Head Coach, New Zealand 7s Legend), Paco Hernandez (Spain 7s Head Coach), and Tim Walsh (Australia Women’s 7s Head Coach).
Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Bose, President, Rugby India, said, “The Rugby Premier League is going to be a landmark moment in the history of the sport, not only in India but also globally.”
“The first extraordinary development came thanks to World Rugby, which gave us a 15-day window in which no international rugby 7s would be played anywhere in the world. This made the best global rugby players available to us. And now, with the schedule in place, we are one step closer to the big day, and we are eagerly awaiting that,” Bose said.
Satyam Trivedi, CEO, GMR Sports, said, “We are excited to unveil the match schedule for the Rugby Premier League, a thrilling addition to India’s sports landscape. As one of the most dynamic and internationally acclaimed sports, rugby is set to captivate millions across the country through Star Sports and JioHotstar.”
“Over 15 action-packed days, this tournament promises to be a spectacular extravaganza that will inspire and energize the youth of India. With just a day to go, we eagerly await the moment when India welcomes rugby and showcases its passion for this exhilarating sport,” he said.
Joining in as the ticketing partners for GMR RPL, Anil Makhija – COO, Live Entertainment & Venues, BookMyShow said, “We’re thrilled to partner with the GMR Rugby Premier League as it kicks off its debut season, bringing the adrenaline and action of world-class rugby to Indian fans.”
“At BookMyShow, we’re committed to enabling access to the best in live entertainment and sport, and this partnership is yet another step towards offering diverse, high-energy experiences to audiences across the country,” he said.
“The anticipation for the start of the GMR Rugby Premier League is palpable, and we’re delighted to be on board with the league for its debut season. We want to give the fans a flawless experience that starts with booking tickets to witnessing some of the best rugby players in the world play in Mumbai,” Makhija added.
