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Lisa Nandy calls for Rugby League World Cup deal on free-to-air TV

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 7:38 AM

Last updated Aug 19, 2026

Lisa Nandy calls for Rugby League World Cup deal on free-to-air TV
Summary

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has urged the International Rugby League to secure a broadcast deal to air the Rugby League World Cup on free-to-air television in the UK. The upcoming tournaments this autumn will be shown exclusively on subscription channel Premier Sports. Nandy expressed disappointment, emphasizing that rugby league fosters community pride and should be accessible to millions of fans. Previously, editions aired on the BBC, which has a long history with the sport, including showcasing Super League matches and last year's Ashes series. A joint World Cup event initially set for 2025 was delayed, with Australia now leading as host.

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Market Watch
  • •Lisa Nandy advocates for free-to-air broadcasting of World Cup matches.
  • •The Rugby League World Cup will be held in Australia this autumn.
  • •Premier Sports has exclusive UK broadcasting rights for the tournament.
  • •The BBC previously aired the Rugby League World Cup matches.
  • •Australia has stepped in as the host after a canceled event in France.
Latest Updates
  • 7:38 AMYahoo Sports — Lisa Nandy urges deal to keep Rugby League World Cup on free-to-air TV in UK
What they're saying
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This year’s tournaments are set to be shown on Premier Sports after the subscription channel struck an exclusive deal

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