Rugby Premier League kicks off in Mumbai with glitzy opening ceremony

Rugby Premier League kicks off in Mumbai with glitzy opening ceremony

The inaugural season of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) got underway on Sunday with a grand opening ceremony at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex (Andheri Sports Complex), Mumbai, marking a significant moment for the sport in India.

The event saw attendance from a mix of sports officials, Bollywood celebrities, and business leaders. Abhishek Bachchan, who serves as the Sports Ambassador and Friend of Rugby, joined GBS Raju, Business Chairman – Airports, GMR Group, and Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, in unveiling the tournament’s trophy.

The 22-inch tall trophy, as described by the organisers, features a black nickel-plated hand holding a gold-plated rugby ball, symbolising teamwork, strength, and collective effort — the core tenets of the sport. The use of fused metals was said to represent India’s blend of tradition and modernity.

The opening evening also included a musical performance by composer-singer Shankar Mahadevan, who presented the official Rugby Anthem, energising the crowd. The event drew several film personalities including Shabana Azmi, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Vidya Balan, Aparshakti Khurana, and Ishwak Singh.

The league will feature six franchises competing over 34 matches across two weeks. Thirty Indian players, selected from a pool of 71 during the league’s player auction, will play alongside international names, offering a global flavour to the contest.

The final is slated for June 29, concluding what promises to be a fortnight of high-intensity action and a major push for rugby’s popularity in India.

The Season 1 finale is set for June 29, capping two weeks of high-octane rugby as teams battle for the coveted title.