THE SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP will remain on free-to-air television in the UK until at least 2029 following a landmark new agreement between the BBC and ITV. The deal, announced today, ensures that rugby fans across the country can continue watching the prestigious tournament without needing a subscription service.

The agreement follows months of speculation that the tournament could move behind a paywall, with TNT Sports expressing interest in bidding for the rights. The BBC and ITV’s renewed partnership secures accessibility for the competition for the next four years, preserving the tradition of free-to-air coverage.

NEW BROADCASTING AGREEMENT

Under the new agreement, which runs from 2026 to 2029:

ITV will broadcast ten live matches each season, including all of England’s fixtures. These will be available across ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player, with highlights and exclusive content shared via ITV Sport’s digital platforms.

BBC will air five live matches each season, covering Wales, Scotland, and Ireland’s home games. The broadcaster will also retain audio commentary rights for all Six Nations matches on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio, and online platforms.

BBC will continue to be the exclusive home of the Women’s Six Nations and U20 Six Nations.

REACTIONS FROM BROADCASTERS AND RUGBY OFFICIALS

The new agreement has been widely welcomed, with key figures from the BBC, ITV, and Six Nations Rugby celebrating the deal as a significant victory for fans and the sport’s growth.

BBC Cymru Wales Director Rhuanedd Richards described the news as “wonderful” for Welsh rugby supporters:

“I have always been a passionate advocate for keeping the Six Nations on free-to-air television, and I’m so pleased that the BBC, working with ITV, has ensured this can continue for the next four years. The viewing figures speak for themselves—hundreds of thousands tune in to watch these incredible tournaments, and we look forward to bringing the very best coverage to Welsh audiences.”

ITV Director of Sport Niall Sloane highlighted the importance of keeping the tournament accessible:

“This is a monumental deal for rugby fans and ITV, ensuring the Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship stays on free-to-air television. We are proud to be the home of all England matches for the duration of the deal, including England’s much-revered clashes with Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The tournament is always one of the sporting highlights of the year.”

BBC Sport Director Alex Kay-Jelski added: “This deal is fantastic news for rugby and the BBC, keeping the sport accessible for as many people as possible. We are proud to bring the biggest sporting moments to our audiences, and this new deal is the perfect news ahead of our exclusive coverage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “This is great news for rugby fans across Wales and the future of the game here in general. 

“We have consistently advocated that the Six Nations should remain free-to-air so the majority of the Welsh population are able to enjoy and be inspired by this special tournament. 

“There’s no question that rugby, and the Six Nations, are of significant cultural importance to Wales and we hope to see today’s good rugby news extend into the weekend and the Super Saturday match against England!”

WHY THIS DEAL MATTERS

The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the financial state of Welsh rugby and the accessibility of the sport to future generations. The deal ensures that audiences across the UK will continue to watch Six Nations rugby for free, protecting one of the sport’s most valuable showcases.

Recent pressure from politicians, including a campaign by the Liberal Democrats, had called for the Six Nations to be added to the UK’s “Category A” list of sporting events that must remain on free-to-air television. While the tournament is not yet protected by this status, the new agreement safeguards its availability for the next four years.

Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, emphasised the significance of the deal: “The significance of these new and innovative free-to-air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated. By strengthening rugby’s relationships with ITV and BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations.”

“The commercial environment in which rugby is operating is extremely challenging, and the battle for audience attention has never been greater. But the Six Nations stands alongside the very greatest occasions in world sport, which is reflected by these partnerships.”

FUTURE OF RUGBY BROADCASTING

The deal also reaffirms the BBC and ITV’s commitment to rugby at a time when more sports are shifting toward pay-per-view models.

ITV’s sports rights portfolio includes other major events such as the Men’s FIFA World Cup 2026, Men’s Euros 2028, The FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup.

BBC Sport’s portfolio includes the Olympic Games, Women’s Euros 2025, Women’s Super League, Wimbledon, and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

The decision to keep the Six Nations free-to-air reflects the tournament’s significance to UK sports culture. The competition regularly attracts millions of viewers, and its continued accessibility ensures that rugby remains at the heart of the sporting calendar for fans across all backgrounds.

For now, supporters can breathe a sigh of relief—Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy will continue battling for Six Nations glory live on BBC and ITV, without the need for a subscription.

WHILE we eagerly await the conclusion of the Men’s Six Nations Championship 2025, to mark what is the 25th anniversary of the tournament in its current format, a selection of journalists from rugby news site, RugbyPass, have compiled a list of the Championship’s 25 greatest moments.

Taking top spot as the tournament’s most memorable moment is Ireland’s dramatic win in 2015 on a try-packed day dubbed ‘Super, Super Saturday’. Going into the final games, three teams, Ireland, Wales and England had a chance of claiming the title, but luckily for Ireland, a French turnover quashed English hopes and gave legendary Ireland captain, Paul O’Connell a memorable send off.

In second place is Wales’ late 17-point comeback in five minutes against Scotland in 2010, culminating in the now-infamous golf buggy incident with flanker, Andy Powell. In third place is Johnny Sexton’s dramatic late drop-goal to earn victory against France in Paris and clinch the Grand Slam for Ireland.

RugbyPass journalist, Owain Jones, said of moment number two: “You’d imagine if Sir Alex Ferguson was watching his beloved Scotland snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, he’d have uttered some more industrial language, after a fixture that left Scottish hearts in a thousand pieces and a gleeful Welsh crowd laughing in disbelief as they stumbled jauntily into the hostelries around the National Stadium.”

In fourth place is Wales’ famous Grand Slam win in 2005; the side’s first in the Six Nations. Rounding off the top five is Finn Russell’s iconic pass in the 2018 tournament against England to help Scotland clinch the Calcutta Cup in a 25-13 victory over their arch rivals.

Recalling Wales’ historic 2010 comeback, Wales legend, Jamie Roberts, who also played in the game, offered these comments: “Obviously Powelly’s incident hogged the headlines for the months after that and I guess my most vivid memory from it was that because of this we weren’t allowed out into town after test matches for about 18 months [laughs].

”With the game though, I honestly tell people it’s one of the most amazing finishes to a Six Nations match ever, and it was a real privilege to be involved in it on the pitch. It must have been incredible for a Wales fan – certainly heartbreaking for a Scotland fan – and funnily enough it was just one of those games where I was actually convinced we were going to lose.”

Speaking about the winning moment, Roberts said: “This ball miraculously lands a few meters from the touchline and instead of just bouncing into touch – so game over for a draw – the ball bounced back over the Scottish defender’s head into one of our back three’s hands and we advanced up the field. At this point, I remember just legging it just to clear the ruck about five meters out and who else but Shane Williams goes under the sticks – only one person would have scored that try!

“I couldn’t even put my arms in the air to celebrate, I was knackered. I just looked around and saw a furious Andy Robinson and then all our coaches going nuts. It was a crazy finish and very rarely would you see finishes like that in the Six Nations.

“To be quite frank, I think most of the lads had probably given up hope on us winning in that game and just the second set of circumstances with that extra yellow card gave us a belief off the kick-off to just go for that try.”

The other Welsh moment making the top five (fourth place) is the side’s historic grand Slam from 2005, Wales’ first in 27 years. Speaking on his memories from the day, Roberts said: “I was 18, just finishing school and I remember being with some mates outside of the museum in Cardiff trying to climb a tree to get any sort of view of the big screen they have there and the crowd was unlike anything you’ve seen. Even now, if Wales were going for a Slam, you would not get this sort of number of people in Cardiff. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rugby population like it in the city centre for a match.

“You sometimes forget how long it takes to get over the hurdle and win a Grand Slam, but I’d like to think it’ll be less than 27 years before Wales’ next trophy success. I guess that group of Wales players inspired a generation really with what they did in 2005. I actually made my debut for Wales three years later in the tournament and it’s weird to think at that moment when I’m loving it and watching Wales beat Ireland for the slam that I’d be playing in the side three years later. Never saw it coming.”

Another key moment making the list was one with Roberts at its heart, the 30-3 win over England in 2013 to cling Wales back-to-back titles, a moment Roberts sees as his greatest moment in the tournament.

Roberts adds: “I honestly don’t think Cardiff has seen a better day since and I include the Slam of 2019 in that. I just remember the atmosphere at breakfast; it was quiet and no one really spoke about the game. Everyone kind of had this quiet aura about them and it was a mutual understanding in our heads that went something like: ‘Boys, we can’t lose today. We can’t lose to England in Cardiff and let them lift a Slam here. It just can’t happen. As all proud Welshmen wearing the red of Wales in Cardiff, it’s unfathomable to let that happen.’

“An amazing occasion and it’s safe to say I can’t remember the night [laughs]. Of all the Six Nations moments this would be my number one, for these reasons: One, we went back-to-back in the Championships. Two, we lost the opening game after a pretty dismal run of losses but still won. And three, we beat England and Cardiff to win it. So, I’ll repeat what I said at the start – I don’t think Cardiff has seen a better day since.”

WALES HEAD coach Matt Sherratt has named his team to face England in the final round of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations at a sold-out Principality Stadium on Saturday (Mar 15, KO 4:45pm, live on BBC and S4C).

There are two changes to the starting line-up that played Scotland last weekend.

In the back row, Aaron Wainwright starts at blindside flanker, with captain Jac Morgan moving to openside. Taulupe Faletau retains his place at No. 8.

Joe Roberts is named on the left wing for his first start of the tournament, pushing Ellis Mee to the right wing. Blair Murray continues at fullback.

In the front row, Nicky Smith starts at loosehead prop, Elliot Dee at hooker, and WillGriff John continues at tighthead prop for a third consecutive match.

Will Rowlands and Dafydd Jenkins maintain their second-row partnership.

Tomos Williams starts at scrum-half, with his club teammate Gareth Anscombe at fly-half.

Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn once again form the midfield combination.

Nick Tompkins returns to the matchday squad and joins Rhodri Williams and Jarrod Evans as the replacement backs.

Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, and Tommy Reffell provide forward cover.

Sherratt said: “Wales versus England is always a special occasion, and we know the atmosphere at Principality Stadium will be incredible. We’re excited to finish our campaign at home and want to deliver our best performance on Saturday.”

Wales team v England

15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 7 caps)
16. Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 2 caps)
17. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 7 caps)
18. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 11 caps)
19. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 4 caps)
20. Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby – 41 caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 63 caps)
22. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 53 caps)
23. Elliot Dee (Dragons – 55 caps)
24. WillGriff John (Sale Sharks – 4 caps)
25. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 40 caps)
26. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 22 caps)
27. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 56 caps)
28. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 22 caps) – captain
29. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 107 caps)

Replacements:

16. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 19 caps)
17. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 39 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 13 caps)
19. Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 26 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 8 caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 10 caps)
23. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 40 caps)

2025 Guinness Six Nations results:

Friday, Jan 31: France 43-0 Wales (Stade de France, Paris)
Saturday, Feb 8: Italy 22-15 Wales (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
Saturday, Feb 22: Wales 18-27 Ireland (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
Saturday, Mar 8: Scotland v Wales (Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, Mar 15: Wales v England (Principality Stadium, Cardiff) KO 4:45pm GMT