India-New Zealand Rugby Series will take place in Rajgir, Bihar, from 22 to 28 October 2026. The series will bring together the under-20 men’s and women’s rugby teams of India and New Zealand for training, cultural activities and competitive matches. The event is linked to 100 years of sports cooperation between the two countries and aims to strengthen their sporting relationship.

Rajgir to Welcome Young Rugby Players

Rajgir will host the visiting New Zealand under-20 teams, known as Tama Toa and Hine Toa, alongside India’s under-20 men’s and women’s teams. The visit will give young players an opportunity to train together, learn from each other and gain international sporting experience.

The programme will include joint training sessions as well as cultural and community activities. These engagements are intended to build connections between players from both countries beyond the rugby field.

New Zealand’s touring group includes 24 young Māori players and a six-member management team. The Māori are the Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, with their own language, traditions and cultural identity. Their participation adds a cultural dimension to the sporting exchange.

Four Rugby Sevens Matches on 27 October

The main competitive action of the India-New Zealand Rugby Series is scheduled for 27 October 2026. Four Rugby Sevens matches are planned: one men’s match, one women’s match and two mixed matches featuring players from both countries.

Rugby Sevens is a shorter version of rugby union. Each team fields seven players instead of the 15 players used in the traditional format. The game is played on a full-sized rugby pitch, but matches are shorter and often feature fast movement, open space and frequent scoring opportunities.

The mixed matches will bring male and female players together in a shared format. Along with the men’s and women’s games, these matches will provide a chance to showcase different approaches to the sport.

A Century of Sports Cooperation

The series is associated with 100 years of sports cooperation between India and New Zealand. Sporting exchanges can help countries develop stronger relationships by creating opportunities for athletes, coaches and sports organisations to share their knowledge and experience.

The tour is funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Its programme combines training, competition and community engagement, giving the young players opportunities to learn about each other’s sporting environments and cultures.

The series is scheduled to end on 28 October 2026, following the four competitive matches planned for the previous day.

Rugby India and New Zealand Rugby

The Indian Rugby Football Union, also known as Rugby India, is the national governing body for rugby in India. New Zealand Rugby oversees the sport in New Zealand. Both organisations are associated with the exchange.

Rahul Bose, President of the Indian Rugby Football Union, and Manu Albert, Head of the New Zealand Rugby delegation, are associated with the initiative.

The series also follows a coaching exchange held in Bhubaneswar in May 2026. During that visit, New Zealand Rugby coaches conducted workshops for 35 Indian coaches. The workshops provided an opportunity to share coaching methods and rugby knowledge.

The October programme builds on this earlier interaction by bringing young players together for practical training and matches. Such exchanges can support player development and help strengthen rugby programmes in both countries.

Understanding Rugby Sevens

Rugby Sevens follows the basic laws of rugby union but uses seven players per team. Players try to score by carrying the oval-shaped ball over the opponent’s goal line or kicking it through the goalposts. Forward passes are not allowed, so players must pass the ball sideways or backwards while moving it towards the opposition’s goal line.

A standard Rugby Sevens match lasts 14 minutes, divided into two seven-minute halves, although some tournament finals may use a longer format. The shorter match length makes speed, fitness, teamwork and quick decision-making especially important.

Rugby Sevens made its Olympic debut at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016. World Rugby is the international governing body for rugby union and Rugby Sevens.

What the Series Means for Young Athletes

The India-New Zealand Rugby Series offers young athletes a chance to experience international competition and learn through direct interaction. Joint training can help players understand different playing styles, while matches provide opportunities to apply those skills under competitive conditions.

For Indian rugby, the programme also follows efforts to build coaching knowledge through international collaboration. The combination of player development, cultural engagement and competition makes the Rajgir series an important sporting exchange between India and New Zealand.

With activities scheduled from 22 to 28 October 2026, the event will bring together sport and cultural learning while marking a long-standing connection between the two countries.