World Rugby Football League “League of Barbarians” Announces 2027 RFL Champion Sevens Launch Offers Investment Opportunities
World Rugby Football League “League of Barbarians” Announces 2027 RFL Champion Sevens Launch Offers Investment Opportunities
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The World Rugby Football League (RFL), the “League of Barbarians,” announced today that its Executive Management Council has officially approved the launch of the inaugural RFL Sevens Championship in 2027. The elite international Rugby Sevens tournament will feature many of the world’s leading rugby nations competing for a US$1 million championship prize.
World Rugby Football League “League of Barbarians” Announces 2027 RFL Champion Sevens Launch Offers Investment Opportunities
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The 2027 championship represents the first phase of the RFL's long-term vision to establish a premier global Rugby Sevens property before expanding into a North American professional league featuring independently owned franchises across Canada and the United States.
To support that vision, the RFL is now inviting discussions with a limited number of qualified investors interested in becoming founding partners in the league. As the league evolves, it also plans to introduce only four Founding Major Market Franchises, providing select ownership opportunities in premier North American markets.
"The league is committed to building something that will stand the test of time," said RFL Chairman William Tatham. "Champion Sevens is where that journey begins. By bringing together many of the world's leading rugby nations to compete for a US$1 million championship prize, we intend to create a world-class event that excites fans, attracts global attention and provides the foundation for the future growth of professional rugby in North America."
Tatham emphasized, “We strategically chose 2027 to rise from the Canadian fire’s ashes in order to ride the global wave of rugby excitement that will be generated by the world's 3rd most watched sporting event, World Rugby’s 2027 World Cup.”
The RFL's return follows the postponement of its planned 2023 championship after unprecedented Canadian wildfire smoke affected the New York region. Prior to the postponement, the league had secured commitments from several of the world's leading rugby nations, including New Zealand, Australia, England, France and the United States, along with broadcast and venue partnerships that positioned the championship on the global stage. The championship was set to be broadcast by ESPN from Red Bull Arena, while Kiswe, Kwokman Productions, Red Bull and Blue Sky Media had been assembled to deliver a world-class broadcast and digital fan experience.
"The only thing that stopped us in 2023 was Mother Nature," said Tatham. "We had assembled many of the world's leading rugby nations, secured an ESPN broadcast, Red Bull Arena, and an outstanding production team. Those accomplishments demonstrated the strength of our vision, and we remain committed to delivering a world-class championship for players, fans, partners and investors in 2027."
Cosmos Sports & Entertainment President and RFL Executive Management Council member Cary Kaplan said the coming months will focus on identifying founding investors who share the league's long-term vision.
"The Sevens Championship is the first step in building a truly global rugby property," said Kaplan. "We are looking for investors who want to participate at the league level and help shape its future from the ground up. As we establish the championship and continue to grow, we will then introduce a select number of founding franchise opportunities across North America."
Additional announcements regarding league investment opportunities, the Champion Sevens championship, founding franchise opportunities and other key initiatives regarding the League of Barbarians will be made in the coming months.
Interested parties can contact Cosmos Sports & Entertainment at rfl@cosmossports.com for additional information regarding the opportunity. For more information visit www.worldrfl.com
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