Premier Sports is to become the lead broadcaster of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup in the UK and Ireland,
The announcement was made this morning following a thorough and competitive process.
The three-year agreement, which will run until the conclusion of the 2026/27 season, will see Premier Sports cover all 63 Investec Champions Cup matches, two EPCR Challenge Cup pool matches per round, two EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 matches, and all matches in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and Final.
This reflects the deal that TNT Sports previously had in the UK.
The EPCR has confirmed to Sport for Business that there are carve-outs in the deal for RTÉ in Ireland and S4C in Wales but that no final details were yet available on the extent to which this would apply
Premier Sports is fast becoming a major operator in the rugby landscape. It will broadcast 20 EPCR Challenge Cup matches across the 2023/24 season and also be the UK broadcaster for TOP14 and the BKT United Rugby Championship (URC).
It is planning to create and launch a 24/7 rugby channel at the very heart of which will sit the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.
To date, in its six-year partnership with URC, Premier Sports has hosted more than 900 live rugby fixtures, showing every game live, including the Grand Final.
Premier Sports’ comprehensive rugby coverage runs alongside other sports and leagues, including rights to LALIGA, Scottish Football, Copa Italia, DFB Pokal, NHL, and NASCAR.
“We are delighted and proud to bring the world’s greatest international club rugby competition to our customers in the UK and Ireland,” said Premier Sports Founder Mickey O’Rourke.
“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.”
“We will now provide the most comprehensive rugby club coverage available across the UK and Ireland with 80 top European rugby fixtures, 151 URC games across five rugby nations, and 110 TOP14 games live – making Premier Sports the destination for any rugby fan – and we will be driving significant investment into raising the profile of EPCR’s competitions to new and existing audiences.”
“Every week will be rugby week at Premier Sports, with a stellar talent line-up of top pundits, presenters and commentators leading our coverage. We will look to mirror the pride, passion and excitement that EPCR, players, clubs and supporters invest in European rugby every season and bring fans closer to the action and the game’s star players.”
“We are equally excited to welcome new rugby customers to Premier Sports and will offer affordable annual and monthly subscription offers to support all rugby fans.”
“Premier Sports has huge ambition to become the home of club rugby in the UK and Ireland, along with their rights to TOP14 and URC competitions,” added 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.”
“Besides the match day coverage, creating a 24/7 rugby channel represents a step-change in Premier Sports rugby coverage. The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup will be at the heart of this new offering, led by key rugby personalities including Stephen Ferris, John Barclay, Tom Shanklin and Ryan Wilson.”
“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.”
“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. 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.”
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