Sports rights competition heats up as Nine extends $144m Rugby Australia deal for five years

Nine Network has extended its content partnership with Rugby Australia

Australia’s Nine Network has extended its content partnership with Rugby Australia in a new multi-year deal worth an estimated US$144 million (A$240m).

The sporting code’s rights remain with Nine until 2030, with Rugby Australia games exclusively screened across Nine’s streaming platform Stan Sport, the terrestrial 9Network and 9Now with content also distributed across digital, publishing, and audio.

Nine has held onto the rugby rights since 2021, broadcasting Wallabies Tests and Super Rugby across the Nine Network and Stan via a three-year deal brokered during the pandemic.

The revised agreement includes Wallabies and Wallaroos matches, the Nations Cup and Super Rugby Asia Pacific through to 2030. The partnership ensures coverage of the extensive domestic and international rugby calendar for the Wallabies, All Blacks, Springboks and Argentina, including The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup.

Nine CEO, Matt Stanton, said the extended deal reinforced Nine’s position as the home of Australia’s biggest sporting moments.

“This agreement isn’t just about showing world-class rugby – it’s about delivering fans a world-class experience on their screens. Whether through live coverage, streaming, expert commentary or exclusive insights, we’re ensuring every moment of Rugby on Nine is an unmissable event,” he said.

The deal is pending approval via Sanzaar.