Announcement very soon.
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But Super Rugby games will no longer be shown on free-to-air television under the terms of the new agreement,
The deal will see Nine and subscription streaming service Stan Sport screen all Wallabies, Wallaroos and Super Rugby fixtures, for both men’s and women’s competitions. It does not include the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but Nine are also deep in talks with World Rugby about securing the broadcast rights to the tournament, and the 2025 and 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cups as well.
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It’s not a bad deal but it’s a shame no more super rugby on free to air. I think that’s a big miss. Clearly RA with how nine have broadcast the game despite their play by play broadcasters are absolutely woeful. Can’t stand the main play by play guy. He is shithouse.
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Conversely it means Space Invaders will no longer need to be pre-empted for Super Rugby games on the main channel.
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I wonder if this is more NRL pressure than Nine not wanting to?
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Could be that or keeping the slot free for nine to make some sort massive play on all the NRL rights so they can air Satruday night football.
Keeping it free for two years on the off-chance they might get Saturday NRL would be insane - especially since it was only multichannel usage mostly.
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Agree - particularly considering (according to that SMH article Mark linked to above) there’s been an increase in viewers for the games simulcasted on Nine/9Gem.
Seems like though that a weekly club rugby game will fill the FTA rugby void left by Super Rugby going entirely behind the Stan Sport paywall.
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It’s tricky: putting the sport behind a paywall probably won’t help grow it, but putting a token game or two on free to air clearly isn’t working either.
Fix the product first, then they may come?
Given its a competition that has largely lived behind a paywall since inception, its probably not as damaging as people think.
Interesting though that the recent lift in form from our SRP teams hasn’t impacted the outcome
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Apparently the death of FTA Super Rugby has been greatly exaggerated…I’m hearing they will still show select games but not automatically Saturday fixtures.
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Guessing they are moving away from showing some on Nine and rest on Stan model and focusing more on exclusivity on Stan.
Rugby Australia confirmed the new five-year broadcast deal with Nine/Stan this morning. Note that the new contract only includes Shute Shield and Hospital Cup competitions at least until 2027, while the overall deal expires at the end of 2030.
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Nine and Rugby Australia Expand Partnership to Bring Fans More World-Class Rugby Coverage
Nine and Rugby Australia have today confirmed the renewal of their landmark partnership, securing a new multi-year agreement that cements Nine as the home of rugby through to 2030. With the deal now to be ratified by SANZAAR, this extended collaboration ensures more rugby than ever before, giving fans unparalleled access to the game across Stan Sport, 9Network, 9Now and amplified by Nine’s unrivalled suite of assets across digital, publishing, and audio.
Stan Sport remains the place for fans to witness all the major moments of Rugby Union both here and around the world, including every Super Rugby Pacific round and the biggest international showdowns in a single destination. While all Australians can unite behind their Wallabies and Wallaroos with every home match and all of the Bledisloe Cup live and free on the 9Network and 9Now.
Set to make international rugby even more of a must-watch event, the deal will include the new Nations Cup, upon the final competition framework being confirmed. This biennial tournament will pit the SANZAAR Unions, Japan and Fiji against the might of the Six Nations Unions in a nail-biting new addition to the global rugby calendar.
Since the beginning of the partnership in 2021, Rugby Australia and Nine have worked together to elevate the profile of rugby across Australia, significantly growing audiences – up 11% on Stan and 17% on Nine year-on-year – and delivering unforgettable and entertaining moments at all levels of the game.
Nine CEO, Matt Stanton, said: “Today’s announcement reinforces Nine’s position as the home of Australia’s biggest sporting moments – bringing unrivalled entertainment, access and reach to fans, and the strongest and most effective partnership for premier sporting bodies that delivers like no other Australian media organisation can. We know there is no better combination than the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport to grow a sport’s popularity and deepen its connection with its fan base."
"We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Rugby Australia at a time when live sport continues to demonstrate its ability to drive strong growth across streaming and free-to-air audiences. This agreement isn’t just about showing world-class rugby – it’s about delivering fans a world-class experience on their screens. Whether through live coverage, streaming, expert commentary or exclusive insights, we’re ensuring every moment of Rugby on Nine is an unmissable event.”
Rugby Australia CEO, Phil Waugh, said: “The continuation of this partnership is a significant step forward for rugby in Australia. Working with Nine and Stan Sport, we have been able to deliver exceptional coverage to our fans while continuing to invest in the growth of the game. Rugby Australia is thrilled to extend this collaboration, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.”
The partnership ensures coverage of the extensive domestic and international rugby calendar for the Wallabies, All Blacks, Springboks and Argentina, including The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup, as well as the newly-announced SAAB tours showcasing the All Blacks and Springboks tours.
Supporting this high-quality schedule of international tier one rugby will be the Super Rugby Pacific, Super Rugby Women’s, and leading domestic Australian, New Zealand and South African competitions, all live and on-demand on Stan Sport.
As part of the renewed partnership, rugby fans can look forward to:
- Comprehensive coverage of Super Rugby Pacific, Super Rugby Women’s, and key Rugby Australia Test matches - including the Wallabies, Wallaroos, Bledisloe Cup, and The Rugby Championship fixtures - along with highlights, mini matches, and full match replays. All available live and on-demand on Stan Sport, with select matches in 4K Ultra HD.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and innovations to bring fans closer to the game, including through Stan Sport’s exclusive bespoke rugby shows that bring the game to life seven days a week.
This partnership reaffirms Nine and Stan’s commitment to serving as the ultimate destination for rugby in Australia, ensuring fans across the country can access the game’s biggest moments across multiple platforms.
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Well, according to The Roar this may have been a consideration which seems ridiculous - but apologies @cmo.
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I was merely speculating but I would agree it is ridiculous this far out to be preserving time slots on a possibility.
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I get they don’t want to be hard locked into something should the NRL rights extend to Saturdays but it seems weird.
Having said that, I’d expect there to still be FTA airings in the interim even if it’s not hard wired into the contract.
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SA stands for South Africa and AB stands for All Blacks. This will be a new bilateral tour series happening in 2026 and 2030, meaning the Rugby Championship will not take place in those years.
Every four years - 2026 and 2030 the first two.
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