ITV confirmed as 2027 Rugby World Cup broadcaster
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- ITV will broadcast the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia live, extending its men's Rugby World Cup coverage to a 10th successive edition.
- All 52 matches from the 24-team tournament, which introduces a last-16 knockout round, will be shown on the free-to-air broadcaster.
- ITV has held rights to every men's Rugby World Cup since the 1991 edition, according to the announcement.
- Alan Gilpin, World Rugby's chief executive, called the deal "a statement of intent" to ensure UK fans can experience the tournament's "action, drama and personalities."
- ITV has also secured 2026 and 2028 Nations Championship rights and shares Six Nations coverage with BBC Sport through the 2029 tournament.
- England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland men's matches will all remain free-to-air in the UK through summer 2029 under ITV's deals.
- The tournament opens with hosts Australia taking on Hong Kong on 1 October 2027.
Why it matters: ITV now holds UK rights to every major men's rugby event through 2029, locking in free-to-air access for all four home nations' fans across three consecutive Rugby World Cups, Six Nations, and the Nations Championship. The expanded 24-team, 52-match format gives World Rugby a larger inventory of premium matches to monetize with sponsors and broadcasters.
