Six Nations and Sanzaar unite broadcast sales under revenue-sharing deal
Original report:
Northern and southern hemisphere rugby unions have agreed to pool media and commercial rights, sharing income across major competitions and Lions tours. Sponsorship arrangements are expected to change from 2028, with joint television rights sales covering the cycle beginning in 2030.
The Six Nations and Sanzaar unions have agreed to market their media and commercial rights jointly, extending revenue sharing across major international rugby events outside the World Cup. Southern hemisphere unions will share profits from the Six Nations and British & Irish Lions tours, while European unions will benefit from the Rugby Championship and New Zealand–South Africa rivalry series.
A new rights agency will manage sales under the board overseeing the Nations Championship. Sponsorship and commercial changes are expected from 2028, but existing broadcast agreements run through 2029. For the television cycle starting in 2030, buyers will be offered combined packages covering the Six Nations, Rugby Championship and Nations Championship, alongside tailored options.
The agreement builds on the Nations Championship’s existing collective sales model, which shares revenue among its 10 founding unions while paying Fiji and Japan smaller appearance fees. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney says the wider agency is intended to improve sales efficiency and increase commercial valuations; the report provides no projected revenue figures.
Source
the Guardian — 4 November 2026
AI-assisted news digest · May be published automatically without editorial review.