R360 Rugby League Delays Launch to 2028

The proposed R360 rugby league, a new global competition backed by former England international Mike Tindall, announced Friday that it will delay its launch by two years until 2028. Originally set to debut in 2026 with grand prix-style events featuring eight men's teams and four women's teams, the startup cited the need for better preparation to ensure high standards and lasting commercial success.

Tindall, a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner and board member of R360, described the postponement as a calculated move. "The decision to shift our launch to 2028 is a strategic decision based on timing," he said in a statement. "Launching under compressed timelines would not meet the standards we set for R360, nor would it deliver the long-term commercial impact that the sport deserves." The league plans a condensed season format, with franchise teams competing in cities around the world, aiming to attract top talent from both rugby union and league through substantial financial incentives.

The delay comes amid significant pushback from rugby's governing bodies. In October, eight major national unions, including those of England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, South Africa, New Zealand...