‘Monumental deal’ – ITV beat BBC to win rights to be sole broadcaster for next World Cup

ITV have beaten the BBC to be the sole broadcaster for the next Rugby World Cup. The tournament is due to take place in Australia next year, with the first game scheduled for October 1. ITV have won the sole rights to show the Rugby World Cup Credit: Getty Images – Getty South Africa won the World Cup in 2023 Credit: Getty The World Cup will open with the host nation facing Hong Kong at the Perth Stadium. But fans in the UK will only be able to watch the action on ITV after it won the rights to be the sole broadcaster of the tournament. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! The free-to-air public broadcast television network has held the rights for the previous ten editions. World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin has hailed the agreement for ITV to continue as the television host. He said: “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 director of sport Niall Sloane added: “This is a monumental deal for audiences across the UK, delivering coverage on ITV of the biggest rugby tournament. “We’ve enjoyed a longstanding partnership with World Rugby and this will continue to thrive. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Last ten Rugby World Cup finals HERE is a look at the last ten finals in Rugby World Cup with South Africa being the most successful with four titles. England have won the heralded trophy by beating Australia in 2003 but have lost three other finals since 1991. 2023 – France South Africa 12–11 New Zealand 2019 – Japan South Africa 32–12 England 2015 – England New Zealand 34–17 Australia 2011 – New Zealand New Zealand 8–7 France 2007 – France (some matches in Wales and Scotland) South Africa 15–6 England 2003 – Australia England 20–17 Australia 1999 – Wales (main host, co-hosted with England, France, Ireland, and Scotland) Australia 35–12 France 1995 – South Africa South Africa 15–12 New Zealand 1991 – England, France, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales Australia 12–6 England 1987 – New Zealand and Australia New Zealand 29–9 France “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.” ITV have been a rights holder for every men’s World Cup since 1991 and has also secured the 2026 and 2028 editions of the new Nations Championship. It also boasts the majority of fixtures in the Six Nations until the 2029 tournament in a shared deal with the BBC. ITV will be showing every England men’s game that is currently scheduled until the summer of 2029. Scotland, Wales and Ireland matches will also be free-to-air in the UK over the same time. The 2027 World Cup will feature 24 nations and all 52 matches will be shown live. Comment now