The breakaway R360 league has again pushed back its launch date.
Fronted by former England international Mike Tindall and originally slated to kick off this year, the launch of R360 – which aims to attract 300 of the best players in the world across both the men and women’s game – was pushed back to October 2026.
However, in a statement on Friday, R360 said it now aimed to launch its full season in 2028.
“The R360 board and its investors, led by non-executive chairman and investor Martin Gilbert, have determined that 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,” read the statement.
“This 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.”
ALSO: B&I Lions take firm stance on R360
Earlier on Friday, The Roar had claimed that R360 was dead in the water due to threats of 10-year bans from major rugby unions as well as Australia’s NRL.
The Australian website said player agents, who stood to earn huge fees from the new competition, had all but given up hope of the Formula One-style tournament being established within the next two years.
Photo: Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images
The post Rebel R360 league delays launch appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.