The Six Nations Championship will continue to be broadcast on free-to-air television in the United Kingdom through a new four-year deal between the BBC and ITV, starting in 2026. This major rugby broadcasting agreement guarantees UK rugby fans uninterrupted access to one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments without any subscription fees.

Under the terms of the deal, ITV will exclusively broadcast all of England’s Six Nations matches, totaling ten games per championship. Meanwhile, the BBC will air five matches annually, focusing on home games for Scotland and Wales—except when they play England. This marks a notable change from previous agreements where both broadcasters shared England’s fixtures.

Financially, the new contract is worth approximately £63 million per year, with ITV covering a larger portion of the rights fees. This amount reflects a significant increase from prior deals and underscores the growing popularity and commercial value of the Six Nations tournament.

The agreement also includes exclusive broadcasting rights for the Women’s Six Nations and the Under-20 Six Nations competitions, both held by the BBC until 2029. This demonstrates a strong commitment to promoting women’s rugby and youth rugby development in the UK.

Keeping the Six Nations on free-to-air TV is a vital move amid concerns that the tournament could have shifted to subscription services, which might reduce accessibility for a wider audience. Rugby leaders, including executives and players, have praised the deal, emphasizing the importance of maximum visibility to grow the sport across the UK.

In summary, the renewed BBC and ITV broadcasting partnership ensures the Six Nations Championship remains widely accessible to all UK viewers, preserving the tradition of free-to-air rugby coverage while supporting the growth of rugby at all levels.