UK rugby fans are facing the very real possibility of the Rugby World Cup heading behind a paywall for the first time since 1991.<\/p>\n
Long-time broadcast partner ITV has held the UK rights to the tournament for more than three decades \u2013 but that deal could soon be history.<\/p>\n
World Rugby is preparing to sell off the broadcast rights for the 2027 and 2031 men\u2019s tournaments, along with the women\u2019s editions in 2025 and 2029. And with streaming giants like\u00a0Netflix\u00a0and\u00a0Amazon Prime\u00a0circling, fans are bracing for a major shake-up in how they watch the sport\u2019s biggest event.<\/p>\n
World Rugby boss\u00a0Alan Gilpin\u00a0has admitted that nothing is guaranteed past the Women\u2019s World Cup in England next month \u2013 which\u00a0will\u00a0be free-to-air in the UK.<\/p>\n
He told The Telegraph in 2023<\/a>: \u201cThe starting point is always going to be, \u2018Can we make as much of this fantastic competition \u2013 in the case of men\u2019s and women\u2019s World Cups \u2013 available to the biggest audiences possible?\u2019<\/p>\n The secondary consideration to that is, \u2018Can we do that in a way that provides the revenues that we need to continue to invest in the growth of the sport?\u2019 So, like any sports event owner, it\u2019s finding that balance \u2013 and there is a balance to be found there \u2013 across different markets.<\/p>\n So, no, we definitely won\u2019t look at \u201927 in isolation and we definitely won\u2019t look at the UK in isolation. We\u2019ll look at it as part of a broader sort of mix of opportunities.<\/p>\n A brilliant, expanded, 16-team, eight-venue Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup in \u201925, much bigger scale than we\u2019ve ever done in Women\u2019s World Cup before, that has to be available, particularly in the UK and the home market, for free, to the biggest audience. That\u2019s our short-term focus.\u201d<\/p>\n Gilpin didn\u2019t rule out a pay-TV or streaming deal for the next men\u2019s World Cup either, saying World Rugby would consider any bid \u201cas long as there is a minimum commitment from them as partners to make the right content available\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt that free TV and partners like ITV, who have been great partners for us, are a part of that future. Because we want to reach audiences that wouldn\u2019t otherwise pay for a subscription for rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n In the UK, the\u00a0final\u00a0would still legally have to air on free-to-air TV \u2013 but everything else could end up behind a subscription.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa\u00a0So Who\u00a0Has\u00a0Secured 2027 Rights So Far?<\/p>\n While UK fans wait in limbo, some countries already know exactly where they\u2019ll be watching:<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 United States: CBS Sports and\u00a0Paramount+\u00a0will air every match live. Some games will also be shown on CBS and CBS Sports Network.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa Australia:\u00a0Stan Sport\u00a0will stream all 52 matches, while\u00a0Nine Network\u00a0and\u00a09Now\u00a0will show key games \u2013 including all Wallabies matches, the semi-finals, and the final \u2013\u00a0for free.<\/p>\n This global shift toward streaming services has fans worried the UK might be left behind \u2013 or worse, locked out without a subscription.<\/p>\n As it stands, UK viewers still don\u2019t know where they\u2019ll be watching the 2027 tournament. And with the bidding process now under way, fans are demanding clarity.<\/p>\n Updated 2027 Rugby World Cup draw, England get easy group<\/p>\n The tournament\u2019s structure and timing now better reflect current global rankings, thanks to a late pool draw in December this year made possible by reforms in 2022.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a breakdown of the\u00a0predicted groups\u00a0and\u00a0team bios\u00a0for the RWC 2027:<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfc6\u00a0Group A<\/p>\n South Africa\u00a0\ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 Argentina\u00a0\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf7 Samoa\u00a0\ud83c\uddfc\ud83c\uddf8 Tonga\u00a0\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddf4 \ud83c\udf0d\u00a0Group B<\/p>\n New Zealand\u00a0\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddff Scotland\u00a0\ud83c\udff4 Japan\u00a0\ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 Chile\u00a0\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf1 CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
The reigning world champions and four-time RWC winners, the Springboks bring a powerhouse blend of physicality, tactical brilliance, and iconic leadership.<\/p>\n
Los Pumas continue to rise as a Tier 1 nation, combining flair and fearlessness. Semifinalists in 2007 and 2015, they\u2019re known for big-game upsets.<\/p>\n
With deep roots in rugby tradition, Samoa\u2019s raw physicality and natural flair make them one of the most dangerous Tier 2 teams in the game.<\/p>\n
The \u2018Ikale Tahi\u2019 bring bone-crunching tackles and island pride. With several stars playing abroad, Tonga is always capable of springing a surprise.<\/p>\n
The legendary All Blacks need no introduction\u2014three-time world champions with a relentless pursuit of perfection and a legacy of innovation.<\/p>\n
A Six Nations stalwart, Scotland blends tactical kicking and dynamic playmakers, looking to go beyond the quarterfinals for the first time since 1991.<\/p>\n
The Brave Blossoms became global darlings in 2019 with a stunning quarterfinal run. Expect lightning-quick rucks and passionate homegrown talent.<\/p>\n
One of the emerging forces from South America, Chile made its first RWC appearance in 2023. Physical, proud, and improving fast.<\/p>\n