GMR Tackles Rugby with India League, Aims for Olympic-Aligned IP

The league will run from June 15 to 29, with two matches scheduled on weekdays and three on weekends

- Gaurav Laghate

GMR Sports, best known for its Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise cricket team Delhi Capitals, is making an ambitious foray into rugby with the launch of the Rugby Premier League (RPL).

First announced in December 2024, the league's inaugural season kicks off later this month, with six teams and backing from some of India's prominent corporate houses.

The league will run from June 15 to 29, with two matches scheduled on weekdays and three on weekends.

RPL is being launched in partnership with Rugby India, with GMR serving as the commercial and operational partner for the league. The company currently owns cricket franchises across the IPL (50% in Delhi Capitals), the International League T20 (Dubai Capitals), Major League Cricket (Seattle Orcas with a clutch of investors, including Satya Nadella, Soma Somasegar and others), and in the Legends League Cricket (India Capitals).

It also owns franchises across the Pro Kabaddi League (UP Yoddhas) and the Ultimate Kho Kho (Telugu Yoddhas). But now, GMR Sports is looking to also own and operate sports intellectual properties (IPs).