ITV confirmed as 2027 Rugby World Cup broadcaster

ITV confirmed as 2027 Rugby World Cup broadcasterImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, South Africa celebrate their 12-11 victory over New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup finalByMike HensonBBC Sport rugby union news reporterPublished5 minutes agoITV will show next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia, extending the broadcaster's coverage of the tournament to a 10th successive edition.All 52 matches from the event, which features 24 teams and a last-16 knockout round, will be shown live."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," said World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin.The broadcaster, a rights holder for every men's World Cup since the 1991 edition, has previously secured the 2026 and 2028 editions of the new Nations Championship, and the majority of Six Nations fixtures up to and including the 2029 tournament in a shared-rights deal with BBC Sport.ITV will show every England men's game currently scheduled until summer 2029, while Scotland, Wales and Ireland's matches will also be free-to-air in the United Kingdom over the same period.The Rugby World Cup opens with hosts Australia taking on Hong Kong on 1 October next year.Related topicsRugby UnionMore on this storyListen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - BloodgateAttributionSoundsListen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcastAttributionSounds