Where can I watch Rugby Union in the UK? (2026)

Key takeaways

You can watch most major rugby competitions in the UK across a mix of free-to-air and subscription channels.

• Six Nations matches are shown live on BBC and ITV. Both are free-to-air, with additional coverage available on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

• The Women’s Six Nations takes place in a dedicated spring window and is usually broadcast on the BBC, including live matches on BBC channels and iPlayer.

• Gallagher Premiership club rugby is shown on TNT Sports. You will need a paid subscription to watch live matches.

• British & Irish Lions tours are broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports, which also requires a subscription.

Coverage can vary slightly by season, so it’s worth checking listings in advance if you want to avoid paying for channels you do not need.

Where can I watch live rugby union?

Rugby union in the UK is shown across a mix of free-to-air channels and paid-for sports services.

If you are a casual fan, the Six Nations is the easiest competition to watch. Matches are shared between the BBC and ITV each year, with ITV showing around two-thirds of the fixtures. You will need a valid TV licence to watch live coverage or use BBC iPlayer or ITVX.

Domestic Premiership rugby is shown on TNT Sports, which requires a subscription.

European club rugby, including the United Rugby Championship and France’s Top 14, is shown on Premier Sports. The European Champions Cup concluded in 2025, with future formats and coverage still subject to change.

TNT Sports currently shows the Autumn Nations series, when southern hemisphere teams tour Europe. From 2026, this will be replaced by a new Nations Championship, held every two years.

Sky Sports will show all matches from the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

Where to watch rugby union on TV in the UK in 2026?

Rugby union in the UK is shown across a mix of free-to-air channels and paid-for sports services.

For casual fans, the Six Nations remains free to watch. Matches are shared between the BBC and ITV each year, with ITV showing around two-thirds of the fixtures. You will need a valid TV licence to watch live coverage or stream via BBC iPlayer or ITVX.

TNT Sports is the main home of domestic rugby. During the 2024/25 Premiership season, it is showing 93 live matches, including weekly fixtures, the Premiership play-offs and the final. TNT Sports has agreed broadcast rights through to the end of the 2030/31 season.

TNT Sports also shows one live Women’s Premiership match every weekend, plus the Women’s Premiership play-offs and final.

European club competitions, including the United Rugby Championship and France’s Top 14, are shown on Premier Sports. The European Champions Cup concluded in 2025, with future formats and broadcast arrangements still subject to confirmation.

International autumn rugby is shown on TNT Sports, which is scheduled to broadcast the Autumn Nations series in 2025. From 2026, this competition is set to be replaced by a new bi-annual Nations Championship.

Sky Sports continues to hold the rights to British and Irish Lions tours, including the most recent tour of Australia.

This version improves clarity around subscriptions, adds confidence on long-term rights, and keeps the focus on what viewers need to watch rugby in 2026 without increasing length unnecessarily.

What rugby matches are shown on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports is best known for showing British and Irish Lions tours.

Most recently, Sky Sports broadcast every match from the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia in 2025. Coverage included all three test matches against Australia, along with every warm-up fixture, with nine matches shown in total.

Outside of Lions tours, Sky Sports has limited live rugby union coverage compared with other broadcasters. Availability can vary by season, so it’s worth checking listings if you are considering a subscription mainly for rugby.

What rugby matches are shown on Premier Sports?

Premier Sports focuses on club rugby from outside the Premiership.

In 2026, Premier Sports shows live matches from the United Rugby Championship, featuring teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa. It is also the UK broadcaster for France’s Top 14, with extensive live coverage throughout the season.

European club competitions previously shown on Premier Sports concluded in 2025, and future formats and broadcast arrangements are still subject to confirmation.

Premier Sports is mainly aimed at fans who want regular access to international club leagues that are not shown on free-to-air TV or TNT Sports.

What rugby matches are shown on terrestrial TV?

If you want to watch rugby on terrestrial TV, coverage is mainly focused on international tournaments.

Every Six Nations match is shown live on the BBC and ITV, with the two broadcasters sharing fixtures each year. ITV shows the majority of games, but as long as you have a valid TV licence, you can watch live on TV or stream via BBC iPlayer or ITVX without paying for a sports subscription.

ITV also holds the rights to the Rugby World Cup. The next men’s tournament takes place in Australia in 2027.

In addition, BBC Two Wales occasionally shows live United Rugby Championship matches involving Welsh teams. The BBC also provides regular highlights and analysis programmes, rather than full live club coverage.

Outside of these competitions, most live rugby in the UK is shown on paid-for sports channels rather than terrestrial TV.

How much does TNT Sports cost in the UK?

The cost of TNT Sports depends on how you choose to watch and who your TV provider is.

If you are an existing BT or EE TV customer, TNT Sports is typically available for around £20 a month, although the exact price can vary by package and offer.

Sky TV customers usually pay more, with TNT Sports commonly priced at around £30 a month as an add-on. This gives access to all TNT Sports channels, including Premiership and international rugby coverage.

You can also subscribe directly through Discovery+. A standalone subscription is usually priced at around £30 a month and can be cancelled at any time. This option suits viewers who only want TNT Sports during parts of the season.

In some cases, taking out a broadband and TV bundle that includes TNT Sports can work out cheaper overall, particularly if you are switching providers or renewing a contract. Prices and deals vary, so it’s worth comparing options before committing.

How much does Sky Sports cost in the UK?

The cost of Sky Sports depends on whether you are an existing customer and how you choose to watch.

Existing Sky TV customers can usually add Sky Sports for around £22 a month on a 24-month contract. This gives access to all Sky Sports channels, including major rugby events such as British and Irish Lions tours.

You can also bundle Sky Sports with TV and broadband. Packages that include fibre broadband, Sky Sports and additional Sky channels typically start from around £60 a month, depending on speeds, contract length and any introductory offers.

If you want both Sky Sports and TNT Sports, you can add TNT Sports to a Sky package for around £30 a month. Some providers also offer larger bundles, such as EE’s Big Sport packages, which combine Sky Sports, TNT Sports and broadband for a higher monthly cost.

If you do not want a long-term contract, Sky Sports is also available through a NOW Sports pass. This usually costs around £35 a month and can be cancelled at any time, making it a more flexible option if you only want access for a short period.

Prices and availability change regularly, so it’s worth comparing deals to find the option that best fits how often you watch sport.

How much does Premier Sports cost in the UK?

The price of Premier Sports depends on how you subscribe and which TV or streaming platform you use.

Sky customers can usually add Premier Sports for around £10.99 a month with a minimum 12-month term. Shorter, rolling options are typically priced higher, at around £15.99 a month. An annual upfront subscription is often available for about £120.

Virgin Media customers generally pay around £15.99 a month to add Premier Sports to their TV package.

If you watch through Prime Video, Premier Sports is usually priced at around £15.99 a month, but you will also need an active Amazon Prime subscription.

You can also subscribe directly and stream via the Premier Sports website or app. Direct subscriptions are typically priced at around £10.99 a month on a 12-month term, £15.99 a month on a rolling basis, or around £120 for a yearly pass.

Prices and offers can change, so it’s worth checking which platform gives you the best value based on how often you watch rugby.

Is it cheaper to bundle sports channels with TV and broadband?

Bundling sports channels with TV and broadband can be cheaper, but it depends on how much sport you watch and which providers you choose.

If you want access to most major rugby coverage, broadband and TV bundles that include Sky Sports and TNT Sports can work out better value than paying for each service separately. For example, larger bundles such as EE’s Big Sport packages combine fibre broadband, TV and both Sky Sports and TNT Sports for a single monthly price. These deals are often cheaper than adding the channels individually.

However, bundles usually come with longer contracts, typically 18 or 24 months. If you only watch rugby for part of the year, a flexible monthly sports pass may cost less overall.

It’s also worth noting that Premier Sports is usually not included in these bundles and needs to be paid for separately if you want access to leagues such as the URC or Top 14.

Comparing bundles against standalone subscriptions can help you work out which option best matches how often you watch sport and how long you are happy to commit for.

Where can I watch rugby highlights for free?

You can watch free rugby union highlights on the TNT Sports and Premier Sports official YouTube channels.

Scrum V in Wales also shows free highlights of selected games, while you’ll be able to watch full Six Nations highlights on the BBC and ITV.

Six Nations rugby fixtures on TV

Men’s Guinness Six Nations (5 Feb – 14 Mar 2026)

Women’s Six Nations 2026 — fixtures table

Guinness Women’s Six Nations (11 Apr – 17 May 2026)

💡 Top tip: BBC, ITV + some subscription fixtures on Premier Sports (subject to schedule) — often available also via BBC iPlayer / ITVX

British and Irish Lions fixtures on TV

The British and Irish Lions tour will resume in 2029.

Champions Cup and Premiership fixtures (2026)

The Champions Cup continues in the 2025/26 season, with the knockout stages and final taking place in 2026.