New Delhi: GMR Sports, in partnership with Rugby India, has announced that the second edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) will be held at the Gachibowli Stadium from June 16 to 28, 2026.
Following a successful debut season in Mumbai, the league returns in the fast-paced Rugby 7s format, reinforcing its long-term vision of accelerating the growth and global competitiveness of rugby in India. The upcoming edition will feature the same six franchises, continuing to offer a high-performance platform that brings together top Indian and international players while delivering an engaging fan experience.
The choice of Hyderabad as the host city aligns with GMR Sports’ broader strategy of building world-class sporting ecosystems. The development follows the organisation’s recent Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Telangana to establish a Satellite Sports City within Bharat Future City, highlighting its focus on infrastructure, innovation, and athlete development.
Welcoming the league, Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary to 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, Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, said, “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 further 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 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!”
Commenting on the venue selection, 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 developmental impact, Dr. A. Sonibala Devi, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Sports Authority of Telangana, said, “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 a proven format, elite competition, and a new host city, the second edition of the Rugby Premier League is set to deliver top-tier action while continuing to play a pivotal role in the growth of rugby in India.
