The ambitious R360 global rugby franchise league, spearheaded by former England centre Mike Tindall, has postponed its planned 2026 launch by two years until 2028.
The delay stems from mounting doubts over the commercial viability of the competition and difficulties in securing top-tier players.
The postponement immediately voids pre-contract agreements with players, freeing them to sign elsewhere.
The league has faced considerable opposition, including a ban on R360 players announced by eight tier-one unions (including the IRFU) and the British & Irish Lions. Australia’s National Rugby League intensified the backlash by imposing a 10-year ban on returning players who join R360.
Despite Tindall’s recent assurances that funding for the first three years was secured, the board decided to move straight to a full 16-week competition in 2028 instead of a shortened season.
Board member Stuart Hooper stated the extra time will be used to negotiate with stakeholders to prevent players from being “penalised with your international careers.”
Tindall maintained the decision was “strategic” to ensure the league launches at “full scale and with maximum global impact.”
While R360 promises $1 million contracts for its top 40 players, it has yet to secure commercial partners or broadcast deals, though it confirmed Martin Gilbert (co-founder of Aberdeen Group) as an investor.
