Rugby’s mega-money breakaway league delayed by TWO YEARS as Mike Tindall provides update on new tournament
R360 – rugby’s proposed breakaway league – has pushed back its scheduled start date from September 2026 and now plans to launch in 2028.
The new 15-a-side tournament had promised ‘generational change’ in the sport, by creating men’s and women’s franchise teams and offering its players lucrative contracts worth close to £800,000.
But on Friday, the league headed up by England 2003 World Cup winner Mike Tindall and leading rugby agent Mark Spoors, confirmed a delay to its schedule in what will be widely seen as a blow to its hopes and a victory for the game’s established order.
Crucially, R360 said the decision ‘will provide the necessary runway to strengthen R360’s credibility, continue collaborative discussions and partnerships with rugby’s stakeholders and position the league to launch at full scale with maximum global impact from the outset.’ R360 had been hit by a number of blows in the run-up to their announcement.
In October, rugby’s leading unions – led by England’s RFU – clubbed together to announce any player that joined R360 would not be eligible to play international rugby. ‘R360 has always been about supporting the long-term growth of the sport we love,’ Tindall said. ‘Our aim is to create a global showcase league that sits between international and club rugby – a competition that keeps fans engaged year-round, brings new audiences into the game and elevates both male and female players on a global stage.
Mike Tindall has confirmed that R360’s launch has been delayed until 2028
‘International rugby attracts huge audiences and is one of the most compelling products in world sport.
‘But most players outside the biggest fixtures aren’t yet household names. Club rugby is vital to the rugby ecosystem, however its reach remains limited to the core fans.
‘There is a clear gap for a global, innovative competition that can broaden rugby’s appeal and inspire a new generation of fans. As per many other sports, evolution is critical to broadening its appeal, finding new talent and realising commercial value.
‘This is rugby’s opportunity. The decision to shift our launch to 2028 is a strategic decision based on timing.
‘Launching under compressed timelines would not meet the standards we set for R360, nor would it deliver the long-term commercial impact the sport deserves. From day one, our commitment to players has been unwavering. Many of the world’s best
female and male players continue to express strong interest in joining R360.
‘We want them to thrive and not be placed under unnecessary pressure. Ensuring player welfare, supporting their international ambitions and working collaboratively with the global game remain core to our approach.
‘We remain absolutely determined to bring R360 to life at full scale and with maximum global impact. We’re building something bold and new that will resonate globally and we cannot wait to show the world in 2028.’
On Tuesday, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said he had not received enough details on whether R360’s scheduled 2026 start was viable. ‘The unions came together with that strong statement because of a sense that while innovation is great for the game, we felt it was going to cause significant problems for the professional leagues. And we still stand by that,’ Sweeney said.
This week too, the British & Irish Lions announced any female players who signed for R360 would not be eligible to feature on their first women’s tour of New Zealand in 2027.
What R360 has done is essentially buy time to continue discussions with World Rugby and the game’s national unions. It is understood R360’s board met first thing on Friday before rugby’s leading agents were informed of the leagues delay.
R360 had signed up more than 200 leading players across both the men’s and women’s game, all of whom were planning to join for 2026. Now, though, they will have to rethink.
A good example of a player in that position is Bristol and Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit. Rees-Zammit returned to rugby from a stint in the NFL for the start of this season. He signed a one-year deal with Bristol and had then planned on joining R360.
Now, his domestic future is uncertain although it is likely Bristol will offer extended terms. R360 have confirmed passionate rugby fan and Scottish financier, Martin Gilbert as chairman and investor, supported by a range of other backers who have asked to remain anonymous.
Friday’s announcement means the likes of Louis Rees-Zammit will have to reconsider their future plans
An R360 statement said: ‘Following consultation with various stakeholders, R360, the global rugby series, has taken the proactive decision to launch its full season in 2028.
‘The R360 Board and its investors, led by non-executive chairman and investor Martin Gilbert, have determined a full launch in 2028 offers stronger market conditions, greater commercial certainty, and a significantly more favourable environment for players, fans, partners and the broader rugby community.
‘While R360 had in place detailed plans to launch in late 2026 with a shortened format, moving to a full season launch in 2028 will allow the series to enter the sports market at full strength under the optimal commercial and market conditions.
‘R360’s ambition remains to complement the rugby calendar following the inaugural women’s Lions tour and men’s Rugby World Cups in 2027, creating a sustainable addition to the sport’s ecosystem.’
