Movistar, the Spanish pay-TV broadcaster owned by telecoms giant Telefonica, has expanded its rugby coverage after securing the domestic rights to air top competitions organized by the Spanish Rugby Federation (FER) for the next three years.
Under the deal, the Movistar+ streaming service gains rights to air matches from the men’s Division de Honor, women’s Liga Iberdrola, and Copa del Rey domestic knockout competition, through the 2027-28 season.
Specifically, Movistar will air one first-pick game per matchday of the Division de Honor, as well as the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, while its coverage for the Liga Iberdrola will span one first-pick match per matchday, plus the semifinal and final.
Its rights for the Copa del Rey, meanwhile, only include the semi-final and final.
The new rights consolidate Movistar’s strong rugby offering, which includes access to major leagues, including France’s Top 14, England’s Premiership Rugby, and Super Rugby Pacific, as well as major club and national team competitions such as the Rugby World Cup, the Six Nations, the Rugby Championship, and the Champions Cup, among others.
FER president, Juan Carlos Martín, said: “Movistar Plus will provide our national competitions with unprecedented visibility, something that is not only beneficial for the federation's sponsors but also represents a major step in promoting rugby in our country. It will reach Spanish homes through a channel that guarantees the highest broadcast quality and where national rugby will coexist with the best leagues in the world."
The new rights agreement comes as the FER works to boost the profile of rugby in the country after expressing its interest in hosting the men’s 2035 Rugby World Cup.
Earlier this year, it was reported that FER representatives had met with the World Rugby governing body to demonstrate their intent to host the tournament for the first time.
At the same time, to ensure the bid has facilities with the capacity to host the marquee event, FER is in talks with LaLiga to secure the use of stadia from the Spanish top-flight to enhance the bid.
Spain is not new to hosting elite rugby, with the San Mames soccer stadium in Bilbao a particular standout, as it is set to host the final of the EPCR Champions Cup in 2026, having hosted once previously in 2018.
Internationally, Spain compete in the European Nations Cup, the highest tier of annual competition for European sides outside the Six Nations, finishing runner-up in the 2024-25 campaign.
With France having hosted the most recent edition of the men’s tournament in 2023, the Rugby World Cup will be hosted in 2027 by Australia, and in 2031 for the first time by the US, meaning 2035 would be the next chance for the event to return to Europe.
