RFL confirm new Rugby League World Cup broadcast details as ‘top-class punditry’ teased

The Rugby Football League have formally announced Premier Sports as an official partner for this year’s Rugby League World Cup, with it now confirmed that the broadcaster will air every single game at the tournament.

That will include every game at all three of the tournaments as the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions will run at the same time, however, the initial announcement of Premier Sports as the UK and Irish broadcaster didn’t confirm that.

Instead, the initial announcement stated that all England games would be aired, as well as the semi-finals and finals, but further matches being included was to be assessed.

It now seems that assessment has been done and Premier Sports have confirmed that they will showcase every single game across each of the three tournaments and there is also a boost in how England games will be covered.

Every England match, across all three competition’s, will also receive studio coverage with a set of ‘top-class’ pundits to be announced soon.

An RFL statement confirmed: “Premier Sports will broadcast every match from the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Rugby League World Cups live across the UK, including every England fixture.

“Fans will be able to enjoy dedicated Premier Sports studio coverage around England Men’s and Women’s matches, alongside Channel 7 Australian coverage of the other Men’s fixtures. Premier Sports will announce its top-class rugby league punditry team in the coming weeks, with further details of its tournament coverage to follow.”

The RFL also state that the partnership with Premier Sports underlines the broadcaster’s ‘commitment to supporting the growth of rugby league in the UK and investing in the game beyond its broadcast coverage’.

It has been touted that Premier Sports could well emerge as a broadcaster for Super League as well, with this World Cup a perfect platform for them to launch from.

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RL Commercial chief explains Premier Sports deal

Richard Sweeney, CEO of Premier Sports, said: “We’re excited to broadcast every game live from the tournament, including every England match across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments. Becoming an official partner of England is a proud moment for us, and it’s part of our wider investment in the game at every level and shows the depth of our commitment to backing England on the biggest stage.”

Rhodri Jones, Interim RFL CEO and Managing Director of RL Commercial, said: “We’re really pleased to have Premier Sports alongside England Rugby League for what promises to be a huge World Cup. Their commitment to making every game available to fans, while also bringing the tournament into rugby league clubs across the country, will help ensure this is a World Cup the whole game can get behind.”

England Men’s side open up against Tonga on Saturday October 17, while the Women face Wales on the same day and the Wheelchair team begin versus Wales on Friday October 30.