CBS Sports Acquires U.S. Broadcast Rights for Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups

CBS Sports and Paramount+ have secured the rights to broadcast both the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in the United States until 2029. This move comes as rugby aims to gain traction in the US ahead of hosting the men’s World Cup in 2031 and the women’s World Cup in 2033.

The deal includes coverage of the men’s World Cup in 2027 and the upcoming women’s World Cups in 2025 and 2029. Select matches will be aired on CBS Sports, while the rest will be streamed on Paramount+, similar to how CBS covers the UEFA Champions League. NBC will continue to broadcast Rugby Sevens during the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

As part of the agreement with World Rugby, CBS will also be the exclusive home for all men’s and women’s World Cup matches, as well as national team games for the USA. Additionally, CBS will cover events like the Pacific Nations Cup, HSBC SVNS, and WXV.

The upcoming women’s World Cup in England, which starts this year, will be available to US fans on CBS and Paramount+, featuring stars like Ilona Maher. CBS has also secured the rights to air the men’s test match between New Zealand and Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 1.

World Rugby reports that there are 800,000 registered rugby players in the US, making it one of the top five markets for the sport. By capturing just one percent of the sports rights market in the US, rugby’s global economy could double.

This deal marks a significant investment in rugby in the US, following a $4 million donation from Michele Kang last year to support the US women’s Rugby Sevens team. The team won bronze at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and set an attendance record this month with over 10,000 supporters in Kansas City for a match against Canada.

World Rugby’s CEO, Alan Gilpin, sees the CBS deal as a pivotal moment for rugby, describing it as “generational.” He believes this partnership will help capitalize on the growing momentum of rugby in the US, with an existing fanbase of nearly 40 million people.

Looking ahead to the 2031 and 2033 World Cups in the US, Gilpin emphasized the potential for growth and the value of the partnership with CBS in expanding rugby’s national coverage. The deal is set to run until 2029, allowing for further development and engagement with audiences as rugby continues to build its presence in the US.