CBS, the Paramount-owned US commercial network, has acquired the exclusive domestic rights to air both the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups through 2029 as the sport looks to boost its profile ahead of the country hosting the flagship tournaments in 2031 and 2033.
The deal will see CBS broadcast the men’s World Cup in 2027 and the next two women’s World Cups in 2025 and 2029, with select matches airing on the linear CBS Sports channel and the rest available on streaming platform Paramount+.
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The broadcaster’s coverage starts with a double-header featuring both US national teams on July 19, which will air on CBS and CBS Sports Network and streamed live on Paramount+.
This will be followed by its coverage of this year’s Women’s World Cup, hosted by England in August and September.
As part of the deal, CBS also gains rights to the men’s and women’s USA national team matches, as well as Pacific Nations Cup, the rugby seven’s HSBC SVNS series, WXV, the annual women’s national team competition, and the men’s test match between New Zealand and Ireland in Chicago on November 1.
Rights to the previous editions of the World Cup have been held by rival network NBC, broadcast home of the Olympic Games, which will provide coverage of the Rugby Sevens competition during the LA 2028 Olympics.
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By GlobalDataWorld Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said: “With their incredible reach and storytelling pedigree, CBS Sports and Paramount+ will be instrumental in building a coast-to-coast rugby community in a country already boasting over 800,000 participants, a dynamic college system, a huge rise in women’s rugby, growing men’s professional league, and a fanbase of nearly 40 million.
“This important deal builds on strong momentum in the U.S. market, supercharging the fan ecosystem with shoulder content, digital storytelling, and on-demand access to help convert curiosity into lasting fandom.”
The deal comes as World Rugby looks to build its fan base in the US ahead of the country hosting the men’s World Cup in 2031 and the women’s World Cup in 2033.
The domestic league, Major League Rugby, was launched in 2018 and has expanded over recent years with the addition of new franchises, including one backed by USA Rugby and World Rugby in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The league has seen its commercial portfolio grow through its partnership with premium experiences company Legends, tasked with attracting funding and growing the competition.
Last year, major women’s sports investor Michele Kang, invested $4 million in US Rugby to aid the US women’s Rugby Sevens team’s preparation for participation in LA28, with the team having secured bronze at last year’s Paris Olympic Games.
The US failed to qualify for the 2023 RWC but will qualify automatically as hosts for the 2031 edition, and the strength of the country’s domestic competition could be key to any performances the team has at the tournament, as well as local interest from potential US fans which will be necessary to deem the competition a financial and cultural success.
