The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has announced a new broadcast deal with Premier Sports, confirming the platform as the exclusive home for both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in the UK and Ireland. The agreement, which runs until the end of the 2026/2027 season, will see all 63 matches across both competitions broadcast live on Premier Sports.
This marks a significant shift from the previous deal with TNT Sports. Premier Sports already holds broadcasting rights for the Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship (URC) in the UK, solidifying its position as a major player in the rugby broadcasting landscape.
"Premier Sports has huge ambition to become the home of club rugby in the UK and Ireland," stated Jacques Raynaud, CEO of EPCR. "We are delighted to join them on this journey and tremendously excited to help them reach new heights by bringing the very best of elite club rugby to UK and Ireland audiences."
The new partnership signifies a commitment to enhancing the visibility and reach of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, with Premier Sports aiming to elevate the production and profile of the tournaments.
"We have worked with the team at Premier Sports for many years both on the EPCR Challenge Cup in the UK and Ireland and as our broadcaster in Asia," added Raynaud. "We have been very impressed with their commitment and ability to raise the profile and production of URC coverage to exciting new levels and we look forward to working with them as EPCR continues the ambitious growth of its competitions."
Mickey O'Rourke, founding Managing Director of Premier Sports, expressed his excitement about the new partnership. "We are delighted and proud to bring the worldâs greatest international club rugby competition to our customers in the UK and Ireland," he commented. "Our exciting new TV partnership with EPCR and the marquee offering of all 63 Investec Champions Cup games live in the UK and Ireland, complements our existing URC and TOP14 coverage and shows our innovation, ambition and growth as a broadcaster."
To further bolster its rugby offering, Premier Sports will launch a dedicated 24/7 rugby channel, showcasing all of its rugby coverage for the duration of the three-year deal. This channel will feature key rugby personalities including Stephen Ferris, John Barclay, Tom Shanklin, and Ryan Wilson, providing insightful analysis and commentary.
"In addition to the match day coverage, the creation of a 24/7 rugby channel represents a step-change in Premier Sports rugby coverage," Raynaud emphasised. "The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup will be at the heart of this new offering...Furthermore, we have been able to work with Premier Sports to ensure new fixture times for English clubs, avoiding clashes with Premier League football to maximise viewing."
Premier Sports membership starts from £10.99 per month and offers access to its streaming service on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and smart TVs. The platform is also available on Sky, Virgin, and Amazon Prime in the UK, and through Sky, NOW, Virgin Media, and Vodafone in the Republic of Ireland.
This new partnership marks a significant step for both the EPCR and Premier Sports, with the latter poised to become a leading destination for rugby fans in the UK and Ireland. With a dedicated channel, extensive coverage, and a commitment to enhancing the viewing experience, Premier Sports is well-positioned to attract and engage a wider audience.
