BBC has lost Men's Six Nations rights, Gabby Logan Responds

Monday, 26 January 2026 at 17:58

byRugby Rucker

The BBC’s reign over England’s men’s Six Nations matches is officially over.

A new four-year broadcast deal running from 2026 to 2029 has stripped the corporation of live England fixtures, marking a major shake-up in how supporters will watch the Championship on free-to-air television.

Announced alongside ITV, the agreement brings the curtain down on the BBC’s long-standing association with England games and signals a new era for Six Nations coverage.

Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local Greene King sports pub.

England Moves to ITV

ITV will become the exclusive home of England games in the Six Nations, broadcasting all of the team’s fixtures live. In total, ITV will carry ten matches per season, covering every England game and a selection of other high-profile encounters.

This means that for the first time in decades, the BBC will not screen any England men’s Six Nations games.

BBC Retains a Share of Coverage

The BBC will continue to show five matches each season, focusing on Scotland and Wales fixtures not involving England. While this represents a reduced slice of the men’s tournament, the corporation will keep comprehensive rights for other competitions.

The BBC remains the home of the Women’s Six Nations and the Under-20 Six Nations across television, digital and online platforms, alongside exclusive radio commentary of all matches on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio.

Free-to-Air Guarantee

Despite the changes, fans will still be able to watch the men’s Six Nations live without a paywall. The joint partnership between the two broadcasters guarantees free-to-air coverage of every match through to 2029.

A Shift in Tradition

The BBC has been synonymous with Six Nations coverage for generations, but the new split underscores how major sporting rights are increasingly shared between broadcasters.

For English rugby supporters, ITV will now be the destination for every key clash, including the Calcutta Cup, the Grand Slam deciders, and matches against France, Ireland, Wales and Italy.

The change marks a significant moment in UK sports broadcasting — one that highlights both the enduring appeal of the Six Nations and the shifting balance of power between the country’s traditional free-to-air broadcasters.

Gabby Logan: Staying Positive

“You know I love Six Nations rugby - I think I once called it the perfect sporting championships,” she wrote. “Taking us around six amazing capitals from winter to spring, the regional rivalry, extraordinary sporting encounters, big hits and collisions, flair and finesse. It never disappoints. So happy that we get to be part of it for four more years.”