R360 company faces strike-off notice over overdue accounts

The company behind the proposed R360 rugby competition has been given two months to submit overdue accounts or face dissolution, BBC Sport reported. AOTG Sport received a strike-off notice earlier this week after failing to file paperwork that was due with Companies House in July, covering the period ending in December 2025.

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AOTG attributed the delay to an error by its accountants and said it expected the issue to be resolved by early next week. The company also maintained that the global rugby series remained on course to launch in 2028. That explanation and timetable are the company's position; the report did not establish that the overdue accounts had been filed.

R360 had originally targeted an October 2026 debut. Its first edition was pushed back to 2028 following opposition from eight leading international rugby nations and the British and Irish Lions. Former England centre Mike Tindall, the project's public representative, reaffirmed the organisers' commitment when the postponement was announced last November.

The proposed format involved a five-month circuit taking rugby to major cities around the world, with eight men's teams and four women's teams. Organisers envisaged appearances by leading players at prominent venues. MetLife Stadium in New York, Barcelona's remodelled Nou Camp and Croke Park in Dublin were mentioned as possible locations, rather than confirmed hosts.

According to BBC Sport, organisers claimed to have signed contracts with almost 200 men's players. However, accommodating the existing international calendar remained difficult. World Rugby had not granted approval without assurances that players would be released for the Test window. England, Ireland and Scotland were among the national teams that announced selection bans for players joining the competition.

England fly-halves George Ford and Fin Smith were among those who chose to remain with their clubs despite interest from R360. Beyond attracting players, the organisers face the cost of securing venues and introducing a new competition to markets outside rugby's established centres, the BBC report noted.

The report also identified AOTG Sport's ownership as of December. Directors Stuart Hooper, the former Bath coach, and player agent Mark Spoors held the majority of shares. UAE-based investment firm 885 Capital, which is also involved in football's Baller League, held the largest stake among outside investors.