New Delhi, April 27: GMR Sports, in partnership with Rugby India, has announced the introduction of women’s franchises in Season 2 of the HSBC Rugby Premier League, marking a significant milestone in the growth and inclusivity of rugby in India.
Building on the success of its inaugural 2025 edition, four of the six existing men’s teams—Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Mumbai Dreamers, and Kolkata Banga Tigers—will now also field women’s teams. The Kolkata franchise was previously known as Kalinga Black Tigers and has been relocated from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata.
The addition of women’s teams underscores the league’s commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable rugby ecosystem while offering female athletes a premier platform to compete at the highest level.
Season 2 of the league is scheduled to take place from June 16–28 at Gachibowli Stadium, further strengthening the league’s presence after a successful debut season in Mumbai.
Commenting on the development, Rahul Bose said,
“It has always been our dream at Rugby India to have an RPL Women edition. This year that dream comes to fruition. Women’s 7s rugby across the world is as exciting as Men’s 7s rugby, and our Indian women are superb.”
Sujoy Ganguly added,
“The inclusion of women’s teams is a natural progression for the league. It reflects our commitment to nurturing talent across genders while elevating the standard and appeal of rugby in India.”
The player draft and auction for both the women’s and men’s teams—including Hyderabad Heroes and Bengaluru Bravehearts—will be held in Hyderabad on April 30.
With this expansion, the HSBC Rugby Premier League is set to further accelerate the growth of rugby in India, inspiring broader participation and strengthening its position as a key platform for the sport’s development.
