GMR Sports and Rugby India Announce Second Edition of Rugby Premier League in Hyderabad from June 16 to 28, 2026

GMR Sports, in partnership with Rugby India, today announced that the second edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) will be hosted at the Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad, from June 16 to 28, 2026.

Following the success of the inaugural edition in Mumbai, the league returns in the dynamic Rugby 7s format, reinforcing its long‑term vision of elevating the sport’s competitiveness and expanding its national footprint. The 2026 season will once again feature the six franchises from the first edition, bringing together top Indian and international talent to deliver a high‑performance, action‑packed rugby experience for fans.

The decision to bring RPL to Hyderabad aligns with GMR Sports’ commitment to building world‑class sporting ecosystems. This announcement follows the Group’s recent MoU with the Government of Telangana to develop a Satellite Sports City within Bharat Future City — a strategic step toward strengthening sports infrastructure, innovation, and athlete development in the region.

Sri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS,
Special Chief Secretary (Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture & Sports Department), Government of Telangana, welcomed the league to the city, stating:
“Hyderabad’s emergence as a global sporting destination reflects Telangana’s long-term policy vision and institutional support for international partnerships. Events like the Rugby Premier League contribute significantly to tourism, urban visibility, and the broader sports economy of the State.”

Mr Rahul Bose,
President of Rugby India, emphasized the league’s continued evolution:
“With everything one does in life, the quest is to always do better, be better, deliver better. That will continue to be the cornerstone of the RPL.”

He added:
“We will always strive to deliver a better product for our fans, do better by our sponsors, and be better partners for our franchises and their teams. RPL 2026 at the Gachibowli Stadium sets out to achieve all this and more — with an enhanced fan experience, world‑class rugby, and a brilliant television and OTT product. We rely on all our partners, including the media, to be the wind beneath our wings. Here’s to a cracking RPL 2026!”

Mr Satyam Trivedi,
CEO, GMR Sports, highlighted the strategic choice of Hyderabad:
“We’re delighted to announce that the second season of the Rugby Premier League will be hosted in Hyderabad at the world-class Gachibowli Stadium. The city’s premier sports infrastructure, excellent connectivity, and passionate fan base make it the perfect home for the league. One of our franchise partners is rooted in Hyderabad, underscoring the city’s pivotal role in our long-term vision for rugby in India.”

Dr. A. Sonibala Devi, IFS,
Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG), added:
“Hosting the Rugby Premier League at the Gachibowli Stadium strengthens our high-performance ecosystem and provides invaluable exposure to emerging talent. Such international competitions accelerate athlete development and reinforce Telangana’s commitment to sporting excellence.”

With elite competition, a proven league format, and a new host city, the Rugby Premier League 2026 is set to deliver world‑class rugby action while continuing to shape the future of the sport in India.