Rugby premier league 2026 to kick off at Gachibowli stadium from June 16
HYDERABAD: GMR Sports, in partnership with Rugby India, has officially announced that the second edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) will be held at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad from June 16 to 28, 2026.
After a successful inaugural edition in Mumbai last year, the RPL returns in the Rugby 7s format to advance rugby’s growth and competitiveness in India. The second edition will feature all six original franchises and continue to unite top Indian and international players on a high-performance platform. Fans can look forward to an engaging and dynamic rugby experience.
Bringing the league to Hyderabad supports GMR Sports’ commitment to building world-class sporting ecosystems. This follows GMR Sports’ recent Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Telangana to develop a Satellite Sports City in Bharat Future City, emphasizing sports infrastructure, innovation, and athlete development.
Welcoming the league to Hyderabad, Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary to the Government (Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture & Sports Department), Government of Telangana, said, “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.”
Echoing this sentiment and outlining the league’s continued evolution, Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, stated, “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.”
Elaborating on how this philosophy translates into the league’s execution, he added, “Building a world-class property will never be enough. We will always strive to deliver a better product for our fans, do better by our sponsors, and last but not least, be better partners for our franchises, their owners, and their support staff. RPL 2026 at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad sets out to achieve all this and more. We promise a better fan experience, an even more thrilling quality of world-class rugby, and a brilliant television and OTT product. As always, we cannot do anything alone. We rely on all our partners, including the media, to guide us, advise us, and be the wind beneath our wings. Here’s to a cracking RPL 2026!”
Discussing GMR Sports’ decision to host the second edition in Hyderabad, Satyam Trivedi, CEO, GMR Sports, said, “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. Hyderabad’s premier sports infrastructure, excellent connectivity, and passionate fan base make it the perfect home for the league. One of our franchise partners is based in Hyderabad. This underscores the city’s pivotal role in our long-term vision for rugby in India. It also reflects GMR Sports’ commitment to growing participation, delivering world-class sporting experiences, and inspiring the next generation of athletes in Hyderabad and beyond.”
Dr. A. Sonibala Devi, IFS, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, SATG, said, “Hosting the Rugby Premier League at Gachibowli Stadium strengthens our high-performance ecosystem and gives emerging talent valuable exposure. International competitions accelerate athlete development and highlight Telangana’s commitment to excellence.”
With its established format and new host city, the league’s second edition aims to deliver high-quality rugby and further support the sport’s growth in India.
