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

Key takeaways

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

• Gallagher PREM Rugby is mainly shown on TNT Sports, with selected matches also available free-to-air on ITV.

• Premier Sports shows the Investec Champions Cup, United Rugby Championship and France’s TOP 14.

• The new Nations Championship continues in November 2026, with every match shown free-to-air in the UK on ITV and STV.

• The Men’s Six Nations is shown on BBC and ITV, while the Women’s Six Nations is shown by the BBC.

Coverage can vary by competition and season, so it’s worth checking listings before 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.

Domestic Gallagher PREM Rugby is mainly shown on TNT Sports, which requires a subscription. Selected games are also shown free-to-air on ITV, with seven live matches scheduled on ITV in both the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons, including the final.

European club rugby, including the Investec Champions Cup, is shown on Premier Sports. It also shows every United Rugby Championship match and extensive coverage of France’s TOP 14.

For international rugby, the new Nations Championship launched in 2026 and continues in November. It brings together the Six Nations countries with New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Fiji and Japan. Every match is shown free-to-air in the UK on ITV and STV.

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.

TNT Sports is the main home of domestic Gallagher PREM Rugby. The 2026/27 season begins on 25 September 2026, with selected matches also available free-to-air on ITV.

Premier Sports shows the Investec Champions Cup, every United Rugby Championship match and extensive TOP 14 coverage. Its Champions Cup agreement covers all 63 matches in the competition through the end of the 2026/27 season.

The new Nations Championship returns in November after its opening rounds in July. The November matches are followed by Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from 27–29 November. Every match is available free-to-air on ITV and STV.

What rugby matches are shown on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports has less regular live rugby union coverage than TNT Sports and Premier Sports.

Its rugby union schedule can vary by season and competition, so it’s worth checking current listings before taking out a Sky Sports subscription specifically for rugby.

The next traditional British & Irish Lions tour takes place in New Zealand in 2029. UK broadcast arrangements for that tour have not yet been confirmed.

What rugby matches are shown on Premier Sports?

Premier Sports has extensive coverage of club rugby from outside the Gallagher PREM.

It shows every United Rugby Championship match, featuring teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa.

Premier Sports is also the lead UK broadcaster of the Investec Champions Cup. Its current agreement includes all 63 Champions Cup matches, as well as selected EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures, through the end of the 2026/27 season.

Fans of French club rugby can also watch up to four TOP 14 matches per round, plus the full play-offs.

Premier Sports is therefore mainly aimed at fans who want regular access to European competitions and club leagues that are not shown in full on free-to-air TV or TNT Sports.

What rugby matches are shown on terrestrial TV?

If you want to watch rugby union on terrestrial TV, coverage is mainly focused on international tournaments, although some domestic club rugby is also available.

The Men’s Six Nations is shared between ITV and the BBC. Under the current agreement, ITV shows 10 live matches each year, including every England fixture, while the BBC shows five. The agreement runs through to 2029.

The BBC also has comprehensive coverage of the Women’s Six Nations.

ITV and STV are the free-to-air home of the Nations Championship in 2026 and 2028, with every match available across their channels and streaming services.

ITV also shows selected Gallagher PREM Rugby, with seven live matches in each of the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons, including the final.

Outside of these competitions, most regular live club rugby in the UK is shown on paid-for sports channels.

How much does TNT Sports cost in the UK?

The cost of TNT Sports depends on how you choose to watch.

TNT Sports is now available to stream directly through HBO Max. A standalone TNT Sports plan costs £30.99 a month, or £25.99 a month for 12 months on the Saver plan.

You can also get TNT Sports through a number of TV and broadband providers, with prices depending on your package and any offers available.

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.

You can add Sky Sports to a Sky TV package or bundle it with broadband and other channels. Prices vary depending on the package, contract length and any introductory offers.

If you do not want a long-term TV contract, Sky Sports is also available through NOW.

A NOW Sports Month Membership currently costs £34.99 a month, while a Sports Day Membership costs £14.99 for 24 hours.

Prices and availability change regularly, so it’s worth comparing deals based on the sport you actually want to watch.

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.

For streaming and Sky customers, Premier Sports currently costs £12.99 a month with a minimum 12-month term, or £17.99 a month with 30 days’ cancellation notice. An annual upfront subscription costs £130.

Virgin TV customers currently pay £15.99 a month, while Premier Sports through Amazon Prime Video costs £17.99 a month.

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 a wide range of rugby coverage, broadband and TV bundles that include Sky Sports and TNT Sports can work out better value than paying for each service separately.

However, bundles usually come with longer contracts. If you only watch rugby for part of the year, a flexible monthly sports subscription may cost less overall.

It’s also worth noting that Premier Sports is usually paid for separately if you want access to competitions such as the URC, TOP 14 and Investec Champions Cup.

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 across broadcaster and competition websites, apps and official social media channels.

BBC and ITV provide highlights from competitions they broadcast, including the Six Nations, while ITV also provides Nations Championship coverage.

TNT Sports and Premier Sports publish selected rugby highlights online and through their official channels.

Availability varies depending on the competition and broadcast rights.

Nations Championship rugby fixtures on TV

The Nations Championship continues in November 2026, with every match available free-to-air in the UK on ITV and STV.

November 2026 fixtures

The tournament then concludes with Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

British and Irish Lions fixtures on TV

The British & Irish Lions’ next traditional tour is to New Zealand in 2029.

UK television arrangements have not yet been confirmed, so it’s worth checking closer to the tour for the latest broadcast information.

Champions Cup and Premiership fixtures (2026)

The 2026/27 Gallagher PREM season starts in September, with the Investec Champions Cup following in October.

TNT Sports is the main broadcaster of Gallagher PREM Rugby, with selected matches also shown on ITV. Premier Sports shows every Investec Champions Cup match.

The full Gallagher PREM fixture list is available for 2026/27, although television selections and kick-off times can change during the season.