NBC Sports Group Acquires Exclusive U.S. Media Rights to Champions Cup Rugby

NBC Sports Group has partnered with European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) on an exclusive multi-year U.S. media rights agreement for the CHAMPIONS Cup, both parties announced today. Per the agreement, NBC Sports will present more than 150 hours of CHAMPIONS Cup coverage next season across NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, and NBC Sports Gold, NBC Sports Digital's direct-to-consumer live streaming product.

The CHAMPIONS Cup is an international club rugby competition comprised of the top clubs across elite European rugby leagues, including Aviva Premiership Rugby (England), Top 14 (France), and Guinness PRO14 (Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy).

"We're excited to partner with European Professional Club Rugby and the CHAMPIONS Cup, which represents the best rugby teams in Europe," said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports Group. "The CHAMPIONS Cup enhances our robust rugby portfolio, which has featured the addition of the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations, and Premiership Rugby in the past two years. NBC Sports is the unquestioned home of rugby in the United States, and we're committed to super-serving this expanding fanbase."

"We are delighted to be working with NBC Sports, who will greatly expand our coverage of European professional club rugby in the USA, which is a key market for us," said Carsten Couchouron, EPCR Marketing and Commercial Director. "Their existing portfolio of rugby rights means that NBC Sports will bring significant editorial and production experience to the transmission of outstanding rugby experiences from the CHAMPIONS Cup in future seasons."

NBC Sports' 2018-19 coverage of the CHAMPIONS Cup will feature more than 65 matches across NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, and NBC Sports Gold, including live coverage of the final on NBC. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will provide streaming coverage alongside matches airing on NBC and NBCSN. NBC Sports Gold will provide live streaming coverage of all matches throughout the duration of the agreement, and NBC and NBCSN will present at least 15 matches each season. Pricing for CHAMPIONS Cup coverage on NBC Sports Gold will be announced soon.

Additionally, as part of the agreement, NBC Sports Gold will provide streaming coverage of the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final for the Challenge Cup, which features additional clubs across elite European rugby leagues that do not qualify for the CHAMPIONS Cup.