Rugby Australia has today confirmed the renewal of its landmark broadcast deal with Nine, securing exclusive rights to air rugby content across the 9Network, 9Now, and Stan Sport through 2030.
It had been widely speculated that Nine would retain the rights, with this all but confirmed late yesterday when a media alert sent out from Rugby Australia teased a major announcement for this morning at Nine’s Sydney headquarters.
The deal promises expanded coverage of rugby across Stan Sport, 9Network, and 9Now, with more content than ever before, including exclusive international events like the new Nations Cup.
From Rugby Australia:
Rugby Australia and Nine confirm new broadcast agreement
Rugby Australia has confirmed the renewal of its landmark broadcast partnership with Nine through 2030, positioning Australian Rugby for a new era of growth.
The new deal spanning 2026-2030, valued at up to $240 million, represents a significant uplift on Rugby Australia’s current broadcast agreement and follows a successful organisational reset in 2024.
By confirming their status as the “home of Rugby” for an additional five years, the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport will continue to deliver exclusive, innovative and world class coverage of rugby union to millions of fans across Australia during a golden decade of major events.
The new broadcast deal, subject to final ratification from SANZAAR, covers:
- All Wallabies and Wallaroos Test matches through 2030 outside of Rugby World Cup competition
- All Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women’s matches
- All SANZAAR Tests and the new Nations Cup tournament (once formalised)
- All Shute Shield and Hospital Cup matches at least through to 2027
Phil Waugh, Chief Executive of Rugby Australia, said the new broadcast deal with Australia’s largest locally owned media and entertainment company represented a strong vote of confidence in the direction of Australian rugby.
“The partnership with the 9Network and Stan Sport is exceptionally strong and Rugby Australia is proud to partner with them for a further five years,” Waugh said.
“In a challenging global media market, it is encouraging to see the value of Australian rugby content increasing.”
“On behalf of everyone at RA, I would like to thank Nine’s Chief Executive Matt Stanton and his team for significantly increasing their level of support for rugby during what promises to be a transformative period for the game in this country.“
“The extension of our partnership with the 9Network and Stan Sport offers rugby fans the best of both worlds: the free-to-air reach of Australia’s largest locally owned media company and an innovative and comprehensive subscription product via Stan Sport that brings the very best of Australian and international rugby together in one place.”
“The future of Australian rugby is bright and our growth trajectory is strong. This deal from 2026 through 2030 will ensure Australian Rugby is well supported from the grassroots through to the international level for men and women, boys and girls.”
Daniel Herbert, Chair of Rugby Australia, said the new broadcast deal with Nine would be warmly welcomed by fans as Australian rugby enters a golden decade of major events in this country headlined by the British and Irish Lions tour (2025), men’s Rugby World Cup (2027), women’s Rugby World Cup (2029) and Brisbane Olympics (2032).
“There is much positivity around Australian rugby in 2025 and our new broadcast agreement with Nine will be celebrated by the millions of Australians who love this game,” Herbert said.
“Rugby was proud to play an integral role in the creation of Stan Sport in 2021 and now looks forward to driving more growth and engagement to the undisputed ‘Home of Rugby’ through 2030. And the free-to-air reach of Nine – in addition to its radio, print and digital platforms – ensures rugby’s marquee events will be broadcast and distributed to the widest possible audience.
“Australian rugby is in a strong position after our organisation-wide strategic reset in 2024 and fans can approach the future with optimism as we enter into a new, upweighted deal with Nine. They truly deliver the deepest and most innovative coverage of XVs and Sevens, men’s and women’s teams, club, provincial and international rugby in the world.”
Matt Stanton, Chief Executive of Nine, said the new broadcast deal with Rugby Australia would deliver audiences “a world-class experience” across Nine’s suite of streaming and free-to-air platforms.
“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,” Stanton said.
“We know there is no better combination than Nine 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.”
From Nine:
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.
