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ITV has agreed a deal with Six Nations Rugby that will see at least 124 fixtures broadcast live and free-to-air over the next four years.
The agreement includes the first two editions of the new Nations Championship tournament in 2026 and 2028 involving the six countries of the Six Nations – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy – the four countries of SANZAAR – South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina – and invited nations Fiji and Japan.
ITV also has the rights to 10 fixtures from the Six Nations tournament each year, including every England game, while the deal also covers Summer Internationals and Autumn Internationals in the years when they take place.
“This is a landmark deal for ITV Sport in securing the future of free-to-air rugby coverage for a UK audience,” said Niall Sloane, ITV’s director of sport.
“With a minimum of 124 international matches in the coming four years, we look forward to showcasing the very best of global rugby to enable the game to grow.”
Six Nations Rugby chief executive Tom Harrison added: “This is more than a new partnership with ITV; it is a statement of intent for the future of rugby. Every major moment from the Six Nations and Nations Championship will be available, Free-to-Air, for the next four years, giving fans unprecedented access to the best of international rugby. Coupled with significant investment in the sport, from ITV, the game has never been in a stronger position.
“The Nations Championship will redefine the future of rugby. The new tournament format has injected competitive meaning into every single fixture across the July and November international rugby windows. It is not only compelling for fans but massively enhances the commercial landscape the sport is operating in, and we are seeing this translate into significant partnerships in rugby’s most important territories.”
The news comes after ITV agreed a new two-year deal with PREM Rugby to show seven games live each season.
