GMR Group Backs Inaugural Rugby Premier League’s (RPL) Season  

Indian infrastructure conglomerate GMR Group has partnered India’s franchise-based Rugby Premier League (RPL). 

Under the deal, the conglomerate has become the Rugby 7s league’s title partner, which will see six city-based franchises battling for the top prize in Mumbai from 15 to 29 June. 

The partnership will see GMR raise the profile of rugby in India by bringing it to new audiences and inspiring the next generation to take up the sport.  

The tournament features 30 marquee international players from elite Rugby7s nations, including Argentina, South Africa, Kenya, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Fiji, USA, and Ireland.

Three-times Olympian Perry Baker of the United States, New Zealand’s 2021 Olympic silver medallist Scott Curry and Ireland’s former World Rugby 7s Player of the Year Terry Kennedy are among the stars who will debut in the RPL.

There will also be 18 international players from Canada, Hong Kong and Germany in the league, which also features 30 Indian players selected from an auction pool of 71.

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.”

Prior to rugby, GMR has a history of being heavily involved in cricket and kabaddi. It has joint ownership of IPL’s Delhi Capitals men’s and women’s teams while owning pro kabaddi franchise UP Yoddhas.     

According to ASN data, the Rugby7s sponsorship investment is tipped to reach almost US$3.9m for Q225 in Asia, which is typically the peak period for most sponsorship deals in the sport. The bulk of the deals tend to be between US$10k and US$100k, reinforcing the niche nature of the sport in the region, while the biggest presenting title sponsorships for the HK7s is valued between US$1.8m and US$1.9m.