Rugby World Cup UK broadcast details confirmed as World Rugby hail agreement with ‘trusted partner’
Siya Kolisi holds Rugby World Cup after the Springboks beat the All Blacks in the global showpiece's final in Paris in 2023.
ITV will once again be the home of the Rugby World Cup in the UK, after retaining exclusive rights to broadcast the 2027 edition in Australia.
As part of the landmark agreement, all 52 Tests from the showpiece event will be aired live, alongside extensive highlights, analysis and digital content across ITV, ITV X and ITV Sports’ YouTube channel.
ITV have broadcast every Rugby World Cup since 1991, including holding exclusive rights to the 2023 edition in France.
‘This is a monumental deal for audiences across the UK’
The broadcaster have recently become a major hub for international rugby, alongside their coverage of the World Cup. Every Test from the 2026 and 2028 Nations Championship will be aired on ITV, while they also show the majority of the Six Nations fixtures.
Commenting, ITV Director of Sport, Niall Sloane said: “This is a monumental deal for audiences across the UK delivering coverage on ITV of the biggest rugby tournament. We’ve enjoyed a long-standing partnership with World Rugby, and this will continue to thrive.
This partnership further secures ITV as the home of rugby, adding to our extensive portfolio and commitment of rugby coverage across ITV1, ITVX and ITV Sport YouTube.”
World Rugby Chief Executive, Alan Gilpin added: “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.
“ITV’s passion for rugby, commitment to innovation and ability to tell the stories that define Rugby World Cup have been central to the tournament’s success in the UK for more than 30 years, and will again be a major feature of Australia 2027, with every minute of every match available for UK fans.
“Australia 2027 will be a landmark moment for rugby. With 24 teams, more matches, more stories and more opportunities for emerging nations to shine on the world stage, the tournament will power a new era for the game.
“Together with ITV, we look forward to bringing every unforgettable moment to everyone across the UK as we invite the world to go all out for Rugby World Cup 2027.”
The 2027 World Cup gets underway on Friday, October 1, with the final pencilled in for Saturday, November 13. This edition will also see 24 teams competing for the first time in World Cup history, as well as a new round-of-16 knockout stage.
