ITV Secures Exclusive UK Broadcast Rights for Expanded Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027

World Rugby and commercial broadcaster ITV have finalised a landmark agreement making ITV the exclusive United Kingdom broadcast partner for the Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027.

Under the deal, all fifty-two matches of the expanded tournament will be broadcast live across ITV, ITVX, and the ITV Sport YouTube channel, alongside extensive highlights and digital content throughout the competition window from October 1 to November 13, 2027.

The tournament marks a transformative era for global rugby, featuring twenty-four elite teams competing across seven Australian host cities with a new round of sixteen stage. Celebrating its fortieth anniversary in 2027, the event extends a broadcasting partnership with ITV dating back to 1991, keeping world-class rugby accessible across the United Kingdom.

Welcoming the milestone, 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,” Sloane said..

Highligting the vision of the deal, World Rugby CEO, 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,” Gilpin added.

All revenues generated will be reinvested into global rugby development across member unions.

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