World Rugby has reached a multiyear, multiplatform rights agreement with CBS Sports that will result in Paramount+ becoming the U.S. home for men’s and women’s World Rugby events through 2029. This includes the next three Rugby World Cups – the women’s iterations in 2025 and 2029; and the men’s iteration in 2027 – and all matches from the USA national team. Under the terms of the deal, Paramount+ is going to be streaming matches live, and select matches are going to be airing on both CBS and the CBS Sports Network. Furthermore, Paramount+ is going to be streaming premium and annual competitions, some of which consist of the Pacific Nations Cup, Men’s U20 World Championship and HSBC SVNS.
“With rugby’s popularity continuing to grow here in the U.S., this is the perfect moment to bring every major World Rugby competition to CBS Sports and Paramount+,” Dan Weinberg, executive vice president of programming at CBS Sports, said in a statement. “By adding these championship events to our platforms, we’re elevating rugby’s presence nationwide and providing fans for the first time unmatched access to some of the sport’s most prestigious competitions. Paramount+ is now a year-round must-have for rugby fans.”
There are going to be several events in the next few months containing the U.S. national teams, including the women’s team facing New Zealand on May 23 at 11:30 p.m. EST exclusively on CBS Sports Network. CBS Sports will present a doubleheader featuring the men’s and women’s national team on July 19 as well. All of this takes place ahead of the United States hosting the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2033 as the league looks to expand its reach into the country.
“Today’s announcement is a generational moment for rugby in the United States,” Alan Gilpin, chief executive of World Rugby, said in a statement. “This landmark partnership with CBS Sports and Paramount+ is tangible proof of our commitment to grow the game by connecting great rugby with sports fans wherever they are. 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 growth 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.”
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