Channel 4 picks up Champions Cup rights

UK commercial broadcaster Channel 4 has acquired rights to the European Champions Cup rugby union tournament.

The rights will run for four seasons, from 2018-19 to 2021-22.

Channel 4 will show one match per round during the club tournament’s pool stage, as well as one live match from each knockout round.

The broadcaster sealed the deal with European Professional Club Rugby, which operates the competition.

Pay-television broadcaster BT Sport will be the tournament’s primary broadcast partner in the UK and Ireland over the four-year period.