GMR Sports and Rugby India announced women's franchises in the HSBC Rugby Premier League second season, marking a major step in Indian rugby. Four of six men's teams will field women's sides, including Chennai Bulls and Mumbai Dreamers. The league runs June 16–28 in Hyderabad, with a player draft on April 30 reported organisers said today noted.

New Delhi: GMR Sports, in partnership with Rugby India, today announced a landmark step in the evolution of the HSBC Rugby Premier League (RPL) with the introduction of women’s franchises in its second season.

Building on the success of the inaugural 2025 edition, four of the existing six men’s teams—Chennai Bulls (owned by Avid Sys Sports), Delhi Redz (owned by RMZ Corp), Mumbai Dreamers (owned by Dream Sports), and Kolkata Banga Tigers (owned by Hunch Ventures), formerly Kalinga Black Tigers and now relocated from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata—will also field women’s teams. This marks a significant stride towards inclusivity and the growth of rugby in India.

The addition of women’s teams underscores the league’s commitment to fostering a robust and sustainable rugby ecosystem while providing a premier platform for female athletes to showcase their talent at the highest level.

The HSBC Rugby Premier League, scheduled to be held from June 16–28 at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, builds on the strong foundation of its debut season held in Mumbai last year, which featured six men’s franchises. The league has rapidly emerged as a key driver in popularising rugby across the country. The introduction of women’s teams is expected to further elevate the league’s profile and inspire the next generation of players.