Women’s rugby has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity over recent years, captivating audiences with its intensity, skill, and sportsmanship. As the sport continues to grow, fans are increasingly eager to watch matches live, whether it’s international tournaments, domestic leagues, or exhibition games. However, navigating the broadcasting landscape to find where women’s rugby is televised can be challenging due to varying rights agreements and platform availability.
This comprehensive guide aims to provide clarity on where you can watch women’s rugby on television. We’ll explore the broadcasting channels and streaming platforms that have secured rights to various women’s rugby competitions, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action.
Major Women’s Rugby Competitions and Their Broadcasters
Women’s Six Nations Championship
The Women’s Six Nations Championship is a premier international tournament featuring England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. In the United Kingdom, BBC holds the broadcasting rights for this championship. Matches are aired live across BBC platforms, including BBC One, BBC Two, and the BBC iPlayer. For Welsh-language coverage, S4C broadcasts Wales’ matches live.
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
The upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025 is set to be a landmark event, especially with England hosting the tournament. The BBC has secured exclusive broadcasting rights for this event, ensuring comprehensive coverage across its platforms. Fans can look forward to watching matches live on BBC TV channels, BBC iPlayer, and listening to commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra.
Premiership Women’s Rugby
The Premiership Women’s Rugby league showcases the top-tier women’s club rugby in England. TNT Sports has committed to broadcasting one match each weekend throughout the season, as well as both semi-finals and the final. Additionally, selected matches are available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, providing fans with multiple avenues to catch the action.
Other Notable Competitions
- WXV Tournament: This is a new annual global women’s competition featuring the top teams from around the world. The BBC holds the broadcasting rights, with matches available live across its platforms.
- Olympic Games Rugby Sevens: During the Olympics, women’s rugby sevens matches are broadcast on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, and E! in the United States. Streaming is available on Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms. UK broadcasting details are typically provided closer to the event by networks like the BBC.
Streaming Platforms
In addition to traditional TV channels, several streaming platforms offer access to women’s rugby matches:
- BBC iPlayer: A free service for UK residents, providing live and on-demand coverage of events broadcast on BBC channels.
- TNT Sports via Discovery+: Subscribers can stream live matches and catch up on-demand through the Discovery+ platform.
- S4C Clic: Offers live streaming of S4C’s broadcasts, including Welsh-language coverage of rugby matches.
- The Rugby Network: For international audiences, this platform provides access to various rugby matches, including some women’s games.
How to Stay Updated
Broadcasting rights and schedules can change, so it’s essential to stay informed:
- Official Websites: Regularly check the official websites of rugby unions and competitions for the latest broadcast information.
- Social Media: Follow official rugby accounts on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for real-time updates and announcements.
- TV Guides: Consult TV listings and guides, such as the Radio Times, for up-to-date broadcast schedules.
Conclusion
The increasing visibility of women’s rugby on major broadcasting channels and streaming platforms reflects the sport’s growing popularity and the commitment to providing fans with access to live matches. With broadcasters like the BBC and TNT Sports investing in comprehensive coverage, supporters have more opportunities than ever to engage with women’s rugby.
As the landscape of sports broadcasting continues to evolve, staying informed through official channels and platforms will ensure you never miss a match. Whether you’re tuning in via traditional TV or streaming online, the thrilling world of women’s rugby is more accessible than ever.
Call to Action
To ensure you don’t miss any women’s rugby action, consider subscribing to relevant channels and streaming services mentioned above. Engage with the community by following official rugby social media accounts and participating in discussions. Share this guide with fellow rugby enthusiasts to help them stay informed about where to watch their favorite teams.
See Also: How to Watch Super Rugby in the UK?
