Rugby’s proposed Rebel Circuit R360 has announced a two-year delay in the start of the tournament to 2028.
R360, a venture led by former England Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall, was due to launch in 2026 but has suffered from a lack of union support and negative publicity.
Early last month, rugby’s eight major federations – England, Ireland, France, Scotland, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia – issued a joint statement saying any player taking part in the rebel circuit R360 would be banned from playing for their country.
Earlier this week, the British and Irish Lions revealed that players who decide to participate in the planned R360 league will not be eligible for selection for the 2027 Women’s Tour of New Zealand.
News of the league’s delay was broken through board member Tindall on Friday amid doubts over its viability.
“Launching on a shortened schedule would not meet the standards we have set for R360, nor would it deliver the long-term commercial impact the sport deserves.
“From the beginning, our commitment to our athletes has been unwavering. Many of the world’s best female and male athletes have gone on to express strong interest in joining R360. We want them to thrive without putting any unnecessary pressure on them.”
R360 has been called a divisive concept by critics as it seeks to lure current clubs’ leading players into a new franchise league of 12 teams based in major cities around the world.
Critics have also pointed to a lack of detail on key elements of the competition, including player welfare and match schedules, and the fact that it has not been ratified by World Rugby.
Australian rugby league’s NRL has threatened a 10-year ban for any player who switches to the R360 and previously said the contracts of any player who signed up for the 2026 launch offer would be terminated.
Full R360 Specification
Mike Tindall, R360 Board Member, said:
“R360 has always been about supporting the long-term growth of the sport we love. Our goal is to create a global showcase league that sits between international rugby and club rugby – a competition that keeps fans engaged all year round, attracts new audiences to the game and elevates both male and female players to the global stage.
“International rugby attracts large audiences and is one of the most attractive offerings in world sport. However, outside of the biggest stadiums, most players are still unknown. Club rugby is essential to the rugby ecosystem, but its reach is limited to 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, and our data continues to support this need.
“As with many other sports, evolution is vital to broadening appeal, finding new talent and realizing commercial value. Cricket, Formula 1, football, sailing, golf, boxing, darts and more are all finding new ways to tell new stories to new audiences and build stronger sports. This is rugby’s opportunity.
“The decision to move the launch to 2028 is a strategic decision based on timing. A launch on a compressed schedule would not meet the standards we have set for R360 and would not deliver the long-term commercial impact the sport deserves.
“From the beginning, our commitment to our players has been unwavering. Many of the world’s best female and male players have gone on to express a strong interest in joining R360. We want them to thrive. Ensuring player well-being without putting unnecessary pressure on them, supporting their international ambitions and partnering with the global game are core to our approach.
“As a board, we are determined to fully implement R360 and have maximum impact globally. We are creating something bold and new that will resonate globally, and we can’t wait to present it to the world in 2028.”
