Nine secures exclusive rights to Rugby World Cups in landmark multi-year deal

Nine has cemented its position as the home of rugby in Australia, securing exclusive broadcast rights to the next three Rugby World Cups as part of a sweeping multi-year agreement with World Rugby.

The landmark deal gives Nine and its streaming platform Stan Sport exclusive rights to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England, the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029, also hosted on home soil. It also includes a slate of international rugby tournaments through to 2029, including the World Rugby U20 Championship, Pacific Nations Cup, the HSBC Sevens Series and WXV women’s tournaments.

Stan Sport will stream every match from all tournaments live and on-demand, while the Nine 9Network and 9Now will air key Wallabies and Wallaroos matches free-to-air.

The broadcast partnership kicks off next year with the British & Irish Lions Tour in 2025, followed by the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 (22 August – 27 September), where Wallaroos games will air live on Nine and 9Now, and all 32 matches available on Stan Sport.

The headline event will be the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, returning to Australia for the first time since 2003. Nine will deliver coverage from every stage of the six-week tournament, with all 52 matches on Stan Sport and major games on free-to-air.

In 2029, Australia will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time. Half of the matches, including all Wallaroos fixtures, will be shown on Nine and 9Now, with full coverage on Stan Sport.

Nine chair Catherine West said the deal demonstrates the network’s long-term strategic vision and its unique position to deliver value across platforms.

“Securing the rights to these global events is a testament to Nine’s long-term strategy and deep commitment to delivering value for audiences, partners and shareholders,” West said.

Nine CEO Matt Stanton called it a defining moment for the network’s sport strategy.

“The Rugby World Cup agreement reinforces the power of Nine,” Stanton said. “Whether it’s streaming on 9Now or Stan Sport, watching at home on 9Network, listening on radio or getting the analysis across our publishing mastheads, Nine can bring the game to Australian audiences like no other media company can.”

World Rugby Chair Brett Robison said the agreement would “reignite the love of rugby down under,” giving fans unprecedented access to the game through Nine’s ecosystem of platforms and expert coverage.

World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin added: “As we enter a golden decade for the sport in Australia, we are excited to continue our fruitful relationship with Nine all the way to two era-defining Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029.”

The deal builds on Nine’s coverage of the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup and the 2023 Men’s Rugby World Cup. With the men’s tournament in 2027 expected to draw global attention and deliver a major economic boost to Australia, Nine’s multi-platform reach will play a crucial role in rallying new fans and delivering commercial returns.