GMR SPORTS, IN PARTNERSHIP with Rugby India, announced Monday that the second edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) will be held at the Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad, from June 16 to 28.
Following its inaugural edition last year in Mumbai, RPL returns in the Rugby 7s format, aligning with the “league’s long-term vision of accelerating the growth and global competitiveness of rugby in India”, an official release states.
The second edition will feature the six franchises from the first edition, continuing to provide a platform that brings together leading international and Indian players.
Per the release, the decision to host the league in Hyderabad “aligns with GMR Sports’ broader commitment to developing world-class sporting ecosystems”.
The announcement follows GMR Sports’ recent signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana, with a shared focus on developing a Satellite Sports City within Bharat Future City, underscoring the Group’s strategic emphasis on sports infrastructure, innovation and athlete development.
Welcoming the league to Hyderabad, Special Chief Secretary to Government (Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture & Sports Department), Government of Telangana, Jayesh Ranjan, 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.”
Rugby India president Rahul Bose noted: “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 how this philosophy translates into the league’s execution, Bose is quoted in the release as further stating: “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 the 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, advise and be the wind beneath our wings. Here’s to a cracking RPL 2026!”
Outlining GMR Sports’ decision to host the second edition in Hyderabad, Mr. Satyam Trivedi, CEO, GMR Sports, said: “We’re delighted to announce that the second season of 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 rooted in Hyderabad, underscoring the city’s pivotal role in our long-term vision for rugby in India. This reflects GMR Sports’ commitment to growing participation, delivering world-class sporting experiences, and inspiring the next generation of athletes in Hyderabad and beyond.”
Highlighting the importance of the event from a high-performance perspective, Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) vice chairman & managing director, Dr A. Sonibala Devi, is quoted as saying: “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.”Rugby Premier League
