ITV Nears £90M Deal for England Rugby Tests to 2029

ITV is on the verge of securing a landmark broadcasting deal worth approximately 90 million pounds to air every England rugby union Test match through 2029, including the inaugural Nations Championship starting next year. The agreement, which has edged out competition from TNT Sports, promises to deliver all home nations fixtures on free-to-air television, significantly expanding the sport's reach in the UK.

The broadcaster's bid covers the first two editions of the Nations Championship in 2026 and 2028, a new 12-team tournament pitting the Six Nations sides against major southern hemisphere opponents such as South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Fiji, and Japan. This follows ITV's existing joint rights with the BBC for the Six Nations, where ITV contributes the larger share of a 63 million pound, three-year package to secure every England game and 10 of the 15 total fixtures. The network also holds exclusive UK rights for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, continuing a partnership that dates back to 1991.

Negotiations are in advanced stages, with sources indicating the deal is all but finalized pending final commercial terms. Organizers of the Nations...