In a major broadcasting upset, ITV has secured the rights to rugby union's new Nations Championship, outbidding the favoured TNT Sports with a deal reportedly worth around £80 million.
A Surprise Victory for Free-to-Air Coverage
The agreement, which is close to being finalised according to reports, means the prestigious new international tournament will be available to watch on free-to-air television in the UK. ITV's successful bid covers the first two editions of the competition in 2026 and 2028.
This outcome represents a significant shock, as TNT Sports had been widely considered the frontrunner. The broadcaster had built a strong position in rugby, having shown the autumn internationals for the past two years.
What is the Nations Championship?
The Nations Championship is a new elite tournament designed to bring together the best teams from the northern and southern hemispheres. It will feature 12 top-tier nations, competing in a structured format across the rugby calendar.
The confirmed teams include the Six Nations sides – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy – alongside southern hemisphere powerhouses New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina, plus Japan and Fiji.
The competition format involves test matches played in July and November. Northern hemisphere teams will travel south for three rounds of fixtures in July, before the southern hemisphere sides head north for return matches in November. Each team will face a different opponent from the opposite hemisphere group.
Twickenham to Host Grand Finals
Points accumulated across the season will determine the rankings for a climactic Finals Weekend, which will be hosted at Twickenham Stadium. This promises to crown the inaugural champion in a high-stakes spectacle.
For England fans, the first tournament in 2026 will see the team travel to play South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina in July. In November, they will then host Australia, Japan, and New Zealand at home.
Tom Harrison, Chief Executive of Six Nations Ltd, hailed the new competition, stating it was created by rugby's strongest nations to "grow the game" and "unlock the true value of the sport." He added that the Nations Championship aims to stand alongside the world's best sporting events and will "take international rugby to new heights."
Broader Implications for Rugby Broadcasting
This deal strengthens ITV's already formidable rugby portfolio. The channel will continue to broadcast the Six Nations in a shared arrangement with the BBC until 2029. Securing the Nations Championship rights cements its status as a primary home for free-to-air international rugby.
The move is also a notable shift for the sport's governing bodies, prioritising wide terrestrial reach over subscription-based revenue for this new property. It ensures the tournament will have maximum visibility from its launch, potentially attracting new audiences to the sport.
