ITV will be the exclusive UK broadcast partner for next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia, with every match shown free-to-air, World Rugby has announced. The deal ends the BBC's hopes of a joint broadcast agreement.
Exclusive Rights Secured
The BBC, which successfully covered the Women's Rugby World Cup last year, was reportedly interested in another joint deal with ITV for the men's tournament. However, ITV pushed for exclusive rights and has now signed a landmark agreement described as the largest in World Rugby's history.
All 52 matches from the expanded World Cup will be available live and free for UK audiences, with extensive highlights, analysis and digital content across ITV, ITVX and ITV Sport's YouTube channel.
Expanded Tournament
Featuring 24 teams for the first time, the competition will include a new round of 16 stage. The tournament runs from October 1 to November 13, 2027, marking the 40th anniversary of the first Rugby World Cup, with matches held across seven host cities in Australia.
ITV already broadcasts the Six Nations (including every England fixture) as part of a joint deal with the BBC, and has live rights to the Nations Championship. ITV Director of Sport Niall Sloane called the deal “monumental” and said it “further secures ITV as the home of rugby”.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said the agreement is “a statement of intent to ensure that everyone in the UK can experience and be inspired by one of the world’s iconic sporting events”. He added that the expanded tournament “will power a new era for the game”.
