A Vision to Professionalise Rugby in India

The RPL was originally conceptualized as India’s first professional franchise based Rugby Sevens League. It is a format that is recognized by Olympics. In addition, to the global standards it is fast paced which makes it appealing to the audience.

This powerful idea needed an ecosystem for the Indian rugby talent to have access to elite coaching, consistent exposure to high level competitions and professional system that supports their growth in the sport.

By placing Indian players on the same field with global rugby stars, it bridges the gaps of exposure and performance for Indian talent. It connects Indian players to a global ecosystem that had been missing for long. This visibility creates aspirations and brings a learning curve for the sport and the players in this journey.

Bringing the World to India

This global participation became a turning point for the inaugural season. 30 international players from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Argentina, Great Britain, and Ireland brought fanfare from their countries into this league.

For Indian athletes it was dream come true. Learning and playing alongside renowned players like Perry Baker, Rosko Specman, Scott Curry and Harry McNutty gave them the exposure that was long due.

Unlocking Talent from the Grassroots

This opportunity was perhaps the most powerful impact of the league. Training, competing and traveling with international teammates and coaches brought professional environment feels for the Indian players.

Over 70 Indian athletes were selected by franchises in the RPL auction. A major break for grassroots talent. Many of them stood out with their performances. Mohit Khatri was the most expensive Indian player at the auction. He ended up becoming the captain of the Bengaluru Bravehearts team. His leadership and confidence on the global stage was every penny worth. Prince Khatri and Javed Hussain shone with Hyderabad Heroes. And Ganesh Majhi, a former U20 captain from Odisha turned heads playing for the Mumbai Dreamers.

India has no shortage of talent. But talent need platforms, pathways and belief. RPL Season 1 dropped a truth bomb by giving our players a chance & a field to perform.

Building a Franchise-Led Ecosystem

The franchise model of the league was built for sustainability in the sport. Franchises help with investments, create regional identities and cultivate local fan bases. All this turns a simple sport into something emotional for the audience to connect with.

This structure has been pretty successful across the globe. This kind of model is never built for a one time event, which means it ensure a scalable and sustainable ecosystem. It supports athletes, keeps the fans engaged and encourages a long-term participation.

The franchises in the first season were Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers and Mumbai Dreamers.

Strengthening India’s Olympic Ambitions

The Sevens League format has been part of the Olympic Games since 2016. By choosing this format, the RPL strategically sets India’s Olympic ambitions. The plan is to expand the talent pool, expose players to high pressure and international benchmarks and create a pipeline for the national team.

Over time it will surely translate into improved performance and a competitive Indian presence on the global rugby stage.

Looking Ahead

As the second edition of RPL approaches, the focus is on building stronger competition, deeper fan engagement and growing commercial interest. As GMR Sports continues to show commitment to rugby in India, it is no longer an experiment but a movement for continuity and scale.

GMR is investing in talent at the grassroots, building a professional ecosystem around the sport and helping rugby find its rightful place in India.