The GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL), the first-ever franchise-based Rugby Sevens league, has begun yesterday, June 15, at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.
The Rugby Premier League has attracted marquee international players from key Rugby 7s nations including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Argentina, Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, and Spain. Aside from that, the tournament features 18 international players from Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany, increasing the league’s competitive depth. GMR RPL Season 1 has 30 Indian players selected from a 71-player auction pool.
The RPL is a watershed moment for Indian rugby, combining top-tier competition with commercial ambition. The league, which has key partners such as GMR and broadcast backing from JioStar, aspires to build a long-term environment that supports both sports greatness and economic growth.
For a more comprehensive understanding, SportsMint Media had the honour of speaking with Mr. Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India.
In the interview, Mr. Bose spoke about the challenges faced in launching the league, the partnership with GMR Group, his overall vision for the Rugby Premier League, and more.
1. How has the journey been in building the Rugby Premier League from the ground up, and what were the biggest challenges you faced along the way?
Honestly, not many challenges in the traditional sense. World Rugby came on board, our partners came on board, including GMR, even before we were fully ready. They said they believed in the vision and wanted to be a part of it. We never had to beg or compromise. We always presented things transparently and truthfully—no exaggeration, no overpromising. Either people said yes or they didn’t, and that was okay with us. Our team owners, our broadcaster, and everyone else aligned with us because of that clarity.
2. Can you walk us through how the GMR Group came on board as a partner for the Rugby Premier League?
GMR was the first group we approached among all prospective team owners. Initially, we expected them to pick up a Delhi franchise. Surprisingly, they declined the team offer, but came back within 24 hours and said, “We don’t want a team, we want the league.” That’s how they became the organizing and marketing partners of the RPL. It was a huge turning point. Kiran Gandhi and I hit it off instantly, complete alignment within minutes. I have a deep sense of trust and affection for him.
3. Could you share more details about the broadcast partnership with JioStar?
There is a commitment in place for a certain number of years, but the exact duration and terms will be announced at a later stage. What I can say for sure is, this wasn’t a money-driven deal. It’s about long-term partnership and vision.
4. Can you outline your overall vision for the Rugby Premier League and its impact on the sport nationally?
Our vision is very clear, to accelerate the growth of rugby in India in a way that wouldn’t be possible without a league like this. Yes, it’ll have its razzmatazz, with Bollywood stars and big promotions. In fact, many major stars have filmed promos for us. But ultimately, what matters most is how the league serves Indian rugby, by growing the sport, injecting funds, and building infrastructure across the country. Our goal is to consistently deliver a world-class product that propels Indian rugby forward, uncompromising in quality.
5. What kind of return on investment (ROI) are you expecting, especially for Rugby India and partners like GMR?
ROI in a league like this isn’t just about money. It’s about the visibility, talent development, and fan engagement that it brings. We’re launching a four-layered ad campaign that includes two major narratives. One highlights the world-class talent involved, champions, national stars, elite athletes. The other focuses on inclusivity, showing that rugby is for every Indian. The campaign will feature everyday people who may have never even played a sport, but through this campaign, they’ll relate to the passion and spirit of rugby.
6. How do you plan to attract long-term sponsors and partners? What’s the key hook?
It’s all about the public’s response. Sponsors follow the energy of the fans. If we put out a product that’s entertaining, gripping, and accessible, they’ll come. The best marketing is a great product—and I’m confident we have one.
7. How will the GMR RPL impact grassroots and professional rugby in India?
When a young player sees a team like the Mumbai Dreamers or Bengaluru Daredevils, they’ll feel hop, hope for themselves and their future. At the grassroots level, these teams become aspirational. That badge represents possibility. Someday, a kid from a remote town could say, “I want to play for that team. I want to play for India.” At the high-performance level, a league like this creates a culture—of training right, eating right, and caring deeply about every win and loss. These are values we’ve already been nurturing as a federation, and the RPL extends that across the country.
8. What was the process like in securing franchise owners for the Rugby Premier League?
We showed them the same story I’m telling you now. And of course, we showed them the numbers. But those numbers weren’t created overnight. We spent six years refining them, taking feedback from top franchise owners across other sports leagues, tweaking the model, and building something solid. Eventually, we had a financial and ethical foundation they could trust and that’s what sealed it.
