Major new match lands free-to-air TV deal as station hails ‘landmark protection’
A major new tournament has landed a free-to-air “landmark” TV deal on ITV Sport that has been hailed by the station’s bosses
ITV Sport will air the event(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA, Getty Images)
A major new tournament has landed a free-to-air “landmark“ TV deal that has been hailed by the station’s bosses as the chance “to enable the game to grow.”
ITV will be the home of the inaugural Nations Championship when the tournament debuts in July 2026 to transform the July and November international rugby windows into a single competitive tournament, every two years.
The channel will broadcast the new Nations Championship in 2026, Men’s Summer Nations Series, as teams prepare for Rugby World Cup 2027, the Nations Championships in 2028, and Men’s July Internationals and Men’s Autumn Nations Series 2029.
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Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, said: “This is a landmark deal for ITV Sport in securing the future of free-to-air rugby coverage for a UK audience.
“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.”
Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said: “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.
“Securing Free-To-Air coverage for the new tournament is testament to the strength of its format and reflects the anticipation for its debut.
“The Nations Championship now has an incredible opportunity to establish itself as a fundamental part of the global calendar for years to come.”
