The Rugby Premier League (RPL), India’s innovative franchise-based rugby competition, has announced a partnership with GMR Group, a leading Indian infrastructure conglomerate.
With this deal, the brand has become the league’s title partner, which will take place in Mumbai from June 15 to June 29, 2025.
GMR, one of India’s most recognised multinational enterprises focused on infrastructure development, has a long history of involvement in sports. Through significant collaborations and grassroots efforts, GMR has played an important role in enhancing the athletic ecosystem in India and throughout the world.
The collaboration between the Rugby Premier League, the world’s first franchise-based Rugby 7s event, and GMR demonstrates the commitment to raising the profile of rugby in India. The merger of the two powerhouses is expected to bring rugby to new audiences, inspiring and attracting a new generation of young players to one of the world’s oldest sports. The first season of the GMR RPL will include six founding franchises competing for the championship title.
Season 1 of the highly anticipated GMR Rugby Premier League begins on June 15, with the final slated for June 29 at Mumbai’s Andheri Sports Complex. The Rugby Premier League has welcomed marquee international players from top Rugby 7s nations such as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Argentina, Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, and Spain. Aside from that, the competition will include 18 foreign players from Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany, adding to the league’s competitive depth. GMR RPL Season 1 will feature 30 Indian players picked from a 71-player auction pool.
Rahul Bose, President, Rugby India, said, “Rugby India and the Rugby Premier League are delighted to have GMR join us as the Title Sponsors for what is a very important opening season of the tournament. This partnership only further strengthens the mutual belief and optimism about the future of Rugby in India, and we are confident that this partnership will stand the test of time.”
