ITV has confirmed its position as the official broadcaster for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, securing the rights to televise every one of the tournament’s 52 matches live across the United Kingdom. The announcement extends the free-to-air channel’s remarkable run of continuous Rugby World Cup coverage to a tenth consecutive edition.
The deal represents a significant commitment to rugby union accessibility in Britain, ensuring that all England matches will be shown live on the channel alongside the broader tournament schedule. World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin emphasised the importance of the partnership in a statement, saying: “This is much more than a new agreement with a trusted partner, it 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, its action, drama and personalities.”
Extended Rights Package
The broadcasting agreement extends beyond the 2027 World Cup, with ITV’s coverage rights also encompassing the Six Nations through 2029. This broader package solidifies the channel’s role as the primary destination for major rugby union competition in the United Kingdom during the coming years.
Unbroken Legacy
ITV’s tenure as the Rugby World Cup broadcaster represents one of sports television’s enduring partnerships. The channel’s ability to reach viewers across the UK on a free-to-air basis has played a crucial role in maintaining the tournament’s visibility and public engagement throughout the previous nine editions.
The 2027 tournament in Australia will be staged across the continent and will feature the full complement of participating nations competing in the global championship format. ITV’s commitment to showing all matches live ensures comprehensive coverage of the competition’s opening rounds through to the knockout stages and final.