Rugby Union

South African Rugby is close to finalising the sale of part of its commercial rights to an American investment firm, while World Rugby is also looking to tap private money to grow the sport in the US.

UK commercial broadcaster ITV has signed an extension with Premiership Rugby to show live matches on linear television for the next two seasons.

Seven of the 10 clubs could be classed as balance sheet insolvent, according to a report which states that English domestic rugby union is likely to remain a loss-making industry for the foreseeable future.

The French Rugby Federation (FFR) is taking its former kit supplier Le Coq Sportif to court, claiming it is owed more than €5m ($5.6m) in unpaid fees.

Premiership Rugby is considering a centralised kit supplier deal in a move that would see it follow a model commonly employed in US sport

Greater media rights revenue is likely to be the key factor determining whether a merger between Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship (URC) would be a viable option for both properties.

Concerns linger over the financial health of Le Coq Sportif as the French Rugby Federation (FFR) moves on from a six-year kit supply term to return to previous sponsor Adidas.

Women’s rugby union is set to earn a viewership boost for the 2025 women’s Rugby World Cup, with all matches available exclusively on BBC platforms. 

World Rugby has expanded its relationship with Two Circles to make it the governing body's principal sponsorship and digital sales agency, almost two years since deciding to centralise the bulk of its commercial and media operations.

South Africa Rugby has detailed plans to launch a new women’s club competition with up to 150 centrally-contracted players, with the league potentially debuting as early as next year.

In becoming the shirt sponsor of Scotland’s men’s national rugby union team, Arnold Clark has made its biggest move to-date in establishing its brand outside of Scotland as it replaces rival car dealership Peter Vardy in the role.

Qatar Airways has expanded its presence in rugby union through a sponsorship - brokered by Pitch International - of the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia next summer.

Rugby Australia is beginning to reap the benefits of the attractive schedule of rugby events passing through the country, securing a four-year extension to its Principal Partner sponsorship deal with Cadbury covering its men’s test team.

Just days after announcing an extensive new deal with Juventus, global sports merchandising firm Fanatics has sealed a similar long-term agreement with New Zealand Rugby.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is going in the right direction off the pitch and working towards a sustainable financial model, despite making a near NZ$9m (€5.1m/$5.5m) loss in 2023.

The broadcast of England’s test match against Japan on June 22 on an OTT streaming platform will represent a landmark shift after the World Rugby-owned RugbyPass TV secured rights in the UK and Ireland.