R360 Rugby League Pushes Back Launch Date
The proposed R360 rugby league, fronted by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall, has officially delayed its launch. Originally scheduled for October 2026, the ambitious breakaway competition will now not begin until 2028.
Organisers confirmed the strategic postponement, citing a need to enter the sports market at full strength. The league, which promises top players significant salaries and a reduced playing schedule, had faced a series of recent setbacks that impacted its original timeline.
International Opposition and Key Setbacks
The project suffered a significant blow in October 2025 when the world's top rugby unions issued a joint statement. This declaration confirmed that any player signing with R360 would be immediately ruled ineligible for international selection.
This directly contradicted R360's stated aim of operating alongside Test rugby rather than rivalling it. Further opposition came from Australia's National Rugby League (NRL), which stated it would ban any player or agent involved with the new league.
Adding to the challenges, the British and Irish Lions confirmed this week that rebel players would not be considered for selection for the inaugural women's tour to New Zealand in 2027.
Strategic Delay and Future Ambitions
In a statement, R360 explained that the decision to shift the launch to 2028 was strategic. The board, which includes Tindall and former agent Mark Spoors, determined that launching under compressed timelines would not meet their standards.
Mike Tindall emphasised the league's long-term vision, stating: "R360 has always been about supporting the long-term growth of the sport we love. Our aim is to create a global showcase league that sits between international and club rugby."
He added that the delay was to ensure they deliver the long-term commercial impact the sport deserves, prioritising player welfare and supporting international ambitions.
The league had been due to apply to World Rugby for sanctioning in September 2025 but elected to defer its application. A launch in 2027 was also deemed unviable due to schedule pressures from the men's Rugby World Cup and the women's Lions tour.
Despite the delays, the project continues to attract investment. Martin Gilbert, the 70-year-old chairman of neobank Revolut and co-founder of Aberdeen Asset Management, has been unveiled as the league's non-executive chairman and an investor.
Organisers claim that more than 200 leading players from both rugby union and rugby league have signed agreements expressing interest, though no official signings have been announced.
