Ian Mallon: How Six Nations rugby has swelled to a €4 billion business

Let’s dig into the numbers to demonstrate this astonishing surge for an organisation that structures the Guinness Six Nations Championship, Autumn International Series, as well as Women’s Rugby and U20s internationals.

BIG BUSINESS: Wales head coach Warren Gatland and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell (left-right) with the trophy during the Guinness Six Nations Launch.

IN THE two years since its £365m (€413m) acquisition of a one-seventh share of Six Nations Rugby by CVC Capital Partners, the value of the sports brand has grown by 30%.

The Pitch has analysed that the March 2021 deal, which valued the business at £2.55 billion (€2.89 billion), has swelled by €800m-€1b through new broadcast rights deals and marketing asset agreements.