The Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup rugby will be broadcasted in the UK and Ireland by Premier Sports, the newly appointed lead broadcaster, as confirmed by the tournament organiser, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). This three-year contract commences this season and will conclude in 2027, with Premier Sports taking over from TNT Sports.
Under the new arrangement, Premier Sports will broadcast all 63 games of the Champions Cup as well as two Challenge Cup matches every round, two of the last-16, and all elimination rounds from the quarter-finals onward. However, as TNT still remains the broadcaster for Gallagher Premiership, English rugby fans will need dual subscriptions to watch their clubs’ games on TV in the upcoming term.
The understanding is that apart from possibly the Champions Cup final, none of the Champions Cup or Challenge Cup contests would be broadcasted on terrestrial TV in England. In the past, ITV and Channel 4 have intermittently showcased these games.
Simultaneously, Premier Sports is looking to extend their coverage, which already includes a significant number of live United Rugby Championship and French Top 14 matches, by launching a dedicated rugby union channel. EPCR CEO, Jacques Raynaud chimes in, explaining the ambition of Premier Sports to become the primary hub for club rugby in the UK and Ireland.
He further revealed the collaboration with Premier Sports to schedule new fixture times for English clubs to avoid clashes with Premier League football and maximise viewership. As a part of the expansion in rugby coverage, Premier Sports will now host a 24/7 rugby channel.
The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup are set to begin in early December, culminating in the finals being held at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in May of next year.