R360 shifts start date to 2028 leaving stars in limbo
NRL stars Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen’s playing futures are in uncertainty after rebel rugby competition R360 announced it was moving its start date to 2028, delaying its planned launch in October next year.
Officials behind R360 announced the new plans via email to players and player representatives on Friday night, before making a public statement shortly afterwards. The move follows growing speculation that R360 has failed to attract enough investment to advance its inaugural competition in 2026.
In an email to representatives, R360 boss Stuart Hooper wrote: “We have some news we want you to hear from us first. The R360 board has today taken the strategic decision to launch the full season in 2028, rather than two shortened seasons in 2026 and 2027.”
“The rationale is clear: a full-scale launch in 2028 creates an optimal environment for our key stakeholders (players, fans, partners) across product, market, commercial and operational factors. It aligns more clearly with the global rugby calendar and enables us to enter the market with maximum strength to continue the momentum around the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup and the 2027 women’s British and Irish Lions tour.
“Now that our full season launch in 2028 has been confirmed, we need to formally confirm the termination of the conditional player contracts provided.”
In an email to players, R360 bosses admitted the news would be a blow to those affiliated with the new organisation, which plans to be a Formula 1-style franchise competition traveling to major cities around the world.
Mike Tindall is the face of R360 and the rebel rugby competition is hot on the heels of big-league players such as Payne Haas and Ryan Papenhuyzen.Credit: Graphic: Matt Willis
“We realize this will come as a shock to some and disappointing to everyone, but we want to explain the reasoning behind this decision. Before we do, we want to make it clear that we are fully committed and have detailed plans for a launch in late 2026,” Mike Tindall said in the email from Hooper and others.
“However, it has become increasingly clear in recent weeks that a full season launch in 2028 will deliver significantly stronger market conditions, greater commercial certainty and a more enabling environment for you, players, fans and our partners.
