The NBC Sports Group division of US media company NBCUniversal has agreed a wide-ranging rights partnership with World Rugby.
The seven-year deal grants NBC Sports Group rights to the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and 2023, as well as the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2017 and 2021.
The deal, said to be the biggest of its kind for rugby rights in the US, also covers the sevens Rugby World Cup in 2018 and 2022, and the annual World Rugby U20 Championship until 2023.
World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said: “This deal represents a significant uplift on previous deals in the US, reflecting the ever-increasing stature of rugby within what is arguably the most competitive commercial marketplace for sport.
“This all-encompassing deal with our friends at NBC is great for fans and great for rugby as we look towards San Francisco’s hosting of Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2018.”
NBC Sports Group also holds rights in the US for the Premiership, the top division of rugby union in England, as well as the World Rugby Sevens Series.