BBC Loses Six Nations England Rights as Gabby Logan Responds

Sunday, 28 December 2025 at 18:41

byRugby Rucker

The BBC have officially lost the rights to England’s men’s Six Nations matches as part of a new four-year broadcast deal covering 2026 to 2029.

The revised agreement, announced alongside ITV, will significantly alter how supporters watch the tournament on free-to-air TV, bringing an end to the BBC’s long-standing coverage of England games.

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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.”

The release of the 2026 Six Nations fixtures immediately highlighted one harsh reality: Wales have been handed one of the toughest openings imaginable.

Their campaign kicks off against England at Twickenham, one of the most hostile environments in world rugby. Early-round fixtures are often cagey, physical, and unpredictable — but facing England away from home is a challenge at the best of times, let alone as an opening match when cohesion is still forming.

Round 2 doesn’t get any easier. Wales return to the Principality Stadium, but their visitors are France, a powerhouse known for explosive attack, immense depth, and the kind of form that can silence any stadium. Even at home, it’s a mammoth task.

By Round 4, Wales must travel to Dublin to meet Ireland, the most consistently dominant side in Europe in recent years. The Aviva Stadium is an unforgiving arena, and facing Ireland away so deep into the campaign could make or break Welsh hopes.

In short, the 2026 Six Nations fixtures offer Wales no early relief — only relentless pressure.