In recent years, the sports world has been increasingly captivated by breakaway leagues—competitions that aim to challenge traditional formats and offer a new vision for how top athletes compete. From the controversy of the European Super League in football, to the success of the Indian Premier League and everything in between. Most sports have now experienced some challenger series, with the allure of establishing rival leagues to the existing structures never having been stronger.
Now, rugby union is reported to be the next target.
Rugby's breakaway ambition: a new frontier in 2026?
Drawing inspiration from Formula 1 and cricket's Indian Premier League, the vision for rugby union apparently involves a grand prix-style, travelling format, featuring eight globally-based men's teams and a professional women's competition.
Public details remain scant, but the proposals come at a time of increasing commercial pressure on the sport and the need to establish a more sustainable model. It appears those behind this new league plan to invest in the sport's elite players, expanding the reach and revenue through a global outlook. By tapping into the attraction of a truly international property, with the best players competing, who visit venues around the world to create the 'big', occasions, the league will no doubt be positioned as a premium property. The clear aim is that fans, broadcasters and global commercial partners buy-in to create a new lucrative model.
Legal implications
The level of investment required to make a success of this type of new league is very significant. Looking at the legal work alone gives an indication of the work involved. For example, this is likely to include:
- Analysis of existing regulations and contracts to consider potential barriers
- Negotiations with exiting organisations (depending on whether the new league is a full breakaway or wants to work 'inside' existing structures)
- Drafting new league rules and regulations
- Consideration of the new team structures – will teams be 'owned' by the new league, drawn from existing teams/clubs, set up as new franchises, or allocated in some other way? Multiple agreements, policies and/or rules will likely be required regardless of the model adopted.
- Drafting standard agreements with players, and potentially negotiating these with player bodies
- Drafting and negotiating media rights and production agreements
- Drafting and negotiating agreements with sponsors (at the league and team level)
- The creation and protection of new brands (for the league and teams), including making global trade mark applications
And the above list doesn't even include the documentation required to address corporate structures and investment vehicles. Just glancing at the mountain of legal work involved is enough to make you wonder if the real sport here is legal drafting.
The potential for legal disputes is also high, especially when breakaway leagues seek to establish rules that challenge existing frameworks or compete directly with established events. Legal battles, often framed in competition law, have become unfortunately common given how high the stakes are.
So, for those seeking to establish a breakaway league, the legal landscape is as complex as it is critical.
For a more detailed consideration of the drivers of change, the issues, and some examples, see our full article here.
