Nations Championship to be shown exclusively on free-to-air TV

ITV have been announced as the exclusive UK broadcast partner for the first two editions of the Nations Championship in 2026 and 2028.

Debuting this July, the Nations Championship features teams in the Six Nations and The Rugby Championship, along with the two invited nations, Japan and Fiji.

It has been designed to bring together the existing two international windows in July and November.

By securing rights to the Nations Championship, ITV has become the dominant force in the international rugby broadcast market, with the Guinness Men’s Six Nations also part of their portfolio.

ITV are very much the senior party to the BBC in the current Six Nations deal, with 10 matches – including all five England games – to the corporation’s five.

It was also announced last week that ITV had renewed their contract with PREM Rugby, to broadcast seven matches for the next two seasons, including the final.

Outside of a Nations Championship year, ITV will deliver coverage of the Summer Nations Series, as teams prepare for Rugby World Cup 2027, as well the Autumn Nations Series.

All told, the new partnership guarantees year-round access to the very best international rugby for fans until 2029.

Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport commented: “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.”

Meanwhile, 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.”

Brendan Morris, CEO of SANZAAR, added: “The Nations Championship is a game changer for rugby union. It brings together the strongest twelve international teams, and the best players, to compete in a uniquely competitive tournament format that will drive global relevance for the sport. The joint venture between SANZAAR and Six Nations Rugby highlights the power of collaboration off the pitch to drive rugby’s growth on the field. Confirmation of the new broadcast partnership is testament to the strength of the Nations Championship format and gives rugby an incredible platform to build from for the years to come.”