RTÉ 'has rights for upcoming Champions Cup season' as Premier Sports becomes tournament's new home

RTÉ confirmed that it "has rights for the upcoming Champions Cup season".

Calvin Nash of Munster makes a break during the Investec Champions Cup Pool 3 Round 4 against Northampton Saints at Thomond Park. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Premier Sports has agreed a three-year contract to become the lead broadcaster of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in Ireland. The deal, which also covers the UK, runs until the end of the 2026/27 season. 

TNT Sports, previously known as BT Sport, had been the main broadcaster in the UK and Ireland under the previous deal. That deal also incorporated games being shown free-to-air on RTÉ. 

Though the statement from the EPCR announcing the new deal does not mention games being shown on terrestrial TV, RTÉ confirmed to the Irish Examiner that it "has rights for the upcoming Champions Cup season". No further details were available on the arrangement. 

In a statement, the EPCR said Premier Sports will "cover all 63 Investec Champions Cup matches, as well as two EPCR Challenge Cup pool matches per round, two EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16, and all matches in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final."

The subscription broadcaster, which also shows every URC game and more than 100 Top 14 games, plans to "create the first 24/7 rugby channel".

“Premier Sports has huge ambition to become the home of club rugby in the UK and Ireland, along with their rights to TOP14 and URC competitions," said EPCR CEO Jacques Raynaud.
"We are delighted to join them on this journey and tremendously excited to help them reach new heights by bringing the very best of elite club rugby to UK and Ireland audiences.

“In addition to the match day coverage, the creation of a 24/7 rugby channel represents a step-change in Premier Sports rugby coverage. The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup will be at the heart of this new offering, led by key rugby personalities including Stephen Ferris, John Barclay, Tom Shanklin and Ryan Wilson.

“Furthermore, we have been able to work with Premier Sports to ensure new fixture times for English clubs, avoiding clashes with Premier League football to maximise viewing."

Munster's 2024/25 Champions Cup campaign gets underway on December 7 when they face Stade Francais at Thomond Park.