The Professional Rugby Organization (Pro Rugby) is forming the first professional rugby league in North America, providing extra exposure for what it describes as the fastest-growing team sport in the U.S. The league obtained exclusive approval from USA Rugby and World Rugby. It will start in April 2016 with six teams in major metropolitan areas in the Northeast, the Rocky Mountains and California. Venues, coaches and players are to be announced over the next weeks. Canadian-based teams are to be added next year. The organizers said that the Pro Rugby 2016 season will feature ten games per club, running from April until June in medium-sized venues. World Rugby's chief executive said in a statement that the league will enable Canadian players to train year round and play in elite competition, which has been missing from rugby development in North America. The launch comes as rugby is preparing for its return to the Olympics next year, in the rugby sevens version at the Rio Games.