PREM Rugby confirm opening free-to-air fixtures as heavyweight clashes selected

Louis Chapman Coombe 08 Sep 2026 11:00 AM

PREM Rugby players at the 2026/27 launch — Players from across the PREM at the official launch at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

PREM Rugby and ITV have confirmed the opening free-to-air fixtures for the 2026/27 season, ahead of the start of the new campaign.

The announcement is part of a growing partnership between the league and the national broadcaster, with ITV the free-to-air home of the PREM since 2022.

The fixtures will also run as a simulcast with TNT Sports.

PREM Rugby and ITV confirm opening free-to-air fixtures

Three games within the opening 10 rounds of the upcoming PREM season have been selected by the broadcaster for free-to-air viewing. Their coverage begins in the opening weekend of the season, with Leicester Tigers’ clash with Saracens on Sunday, September 27 selected as the opening pick. That fixture will be aired across both ITV 1 and ITVX.

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The latter two picks then come in December, with Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs on Sunday, December 6 and the Big Game 18 fixture between Harlequins and Northampton Saints on Monday, December 28 also selected. The clash at the CorpAcq Stadium will be aired on ITV 1 and ITV X, while the meeting at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, will be shown on ITV 4 and ITV X.

“ITV coverage of the Gallagher PREM will begin in Round One with a heavyweight clash at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, as Leicester Tigers host Saracens on Sunday 27 September at 3pm, live on ITV1 and ITVX,” a PREM Rugby statement read.

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“The second free-to-air fixture will see Sale Sharks take on Exeter Chiefs on Sunday 6 December at 3 pm, with the match also live on ITV1 and ITVX.

“The festive schedule will then see Harlequins face Northampton Saints in Big Game 18 at Allianz Stadium on Monday 28 December, live on ITV4 and ITVX, with the traditional headline fixture of the Festive Fixtures period also available free-to-air.”

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Further fixtures selected for broadcast on ITV across the second-half of the season will be confirmed at a later date.