EPCR and Premier Sports Announce Partnership for Expanded Broadcast Coverage
In an exciting development for rugby fans in the UK and Ireland, the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has revealed a new partnership with Premier Sports. This collaboration will see Premier Sports become the lead broadcaster of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup in the UK and Ireland for the next three seasons. As part of this agreement, all of Northampton Saints’ matches in the European competition will be featured on the channel for the upcoming season.
The three-year deal, extending until the conclusion of the 2026/27 season, will see Premier Sports cover a total of 63 Investec Champions Cup matches, along with two EPCR Challenge Cup pool matches per round, two EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 matches, and all fixtures in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and Final. This comprehensive coverage ensures that rugby enthusiasts across the region will have access to top-tier European club rugby action.
Premier Sports has been making significant strides in the rugby broadcasting landscape, with plans to broadcast 20 EPCR Challenge Cup matches during the 2023/24 season. Additionally, the channel serves as the UK broadcaster for the TOP14 and BKT United Rugby Championship (URC). Over the past six years, Premier Sports has aired more than 900 live rugby fixtures, including every game of the URC, culminating in the Grand Final.
This new partnership with EPCR aligns with Premier Sports’ broader coverage of various sports and leagues, including rights to LALIGA, Scottish Football, Copa Italia, DFB Pokal, NHL, and NASCAR. Furthermore, Premier Sports aims to launch a dedicated 24/7 rugby channel, with a focus on showcasing the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup at the core of its programming.
Jacques Raynaud, CEO of EPCR, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Premier Sports, stating, “Premier Sports has huge ambition to become the home of club rugby in the UK and Ireland, along with their rights to TOP14 and URC competitions. We are delighted to join them on this journey and tremendously excited to help them reach new heights by bringing the very best of elite club rugby to UK and Ireland audiences.”
In addition to match day coverage, the creation of a 24/7 rugby channel signifies a significant advancement in Premier Sports’ rugby programming. The partnership has also led to the introduction of new fixture times for English clubs to avoid scheduling conflicts with Premier League football, ensuring maximum viewership for rugby enthusiasts.
Mickey O’Rourke, founding Managing Director of Premier Sports, shared his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are delighted and proud to bring the world’s greatest international club rugby competition to our customers in the UK and Ireland. Every week will be rugby week at Premier Sports, with a stellar talent line-up of top pundits, presenters, and commentators leading our coverage. We will look to mirror the pride, passion, and excitement that EPCR, players, clubs, and supporters invest in European rugby every season.”
As part of the agreement, Premier Sports will offer affordable annual and monthly subscription options to cater to rugby fans, welcoming new customers to experience their extensive rugby coverage. The focus on enhancing the viewer experience and bringing fans closer to the action and star players underscores Premier Sports’ commitment to delivering premium rugby content.
Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup 2024/25 Season Schedule
For the upcoming 2024/25 season, the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup will feature an exhilarating lineup of matches, including:
– Round 1: 6/7/8 December 2024
– Round 2: 13/14/15 December 2024
– Round 3: 10/11/12 January 2025
– Round 4: 17/18/19 January 2025
– Round of 16: 4/5/6 April 2025
– Quarter-Finals: 11/12/13 April 2025
– Semi-Finals: 2/3/4 May 2025
– EPCR Challenge Cup Final: 23 May 2025
– Investec Champions Cup Final: 24 May 2025
These dates mark key milestones in the European club rugby calendar, offering fans an array of thrilling matchups and intense competition as teams vie for championship titles in both tournaments.
How to Access Premier Sports Coverage
For rugby enthusiasts looking to catch all the action on Premier Sports, the channel is available on the Sky platform in the UK, with channels 419 and 420 offering comprehensive coverage. Subscribers can access Premier Sports for £10.99 per month, which includes free access to the Premier Sports streaming service. Additionally, the channel is available on Virgin Media as channels 551 and 552, and as an add-on subscription on Amazon Prime.
Premier Sports also offers online streaming via dedicated apps on various devices and platforms, such as iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, PC and Mac, Fire TV and Chromecast, LG Smart TVs, and Android TV enabled devices. With a range of subscription options starting from £10.99 per month, rugby fans can enjoy convenient access to their favorite matches and exclusive content.
In the Republic of Ireland, Premier Sports is included as part of the ‘Sports Extra’ Pack on Sky, NOW, Virgin Media, and Vodafone, ensuring that fans across the region can tune in to top-quality rugby coverage.
The partnership between EPCR and Premier Sports signifies a new chapter in the broadcasting of European club rugby, offering fans an immersive viewing experience and expanded access to elite competitions. With a shared commitment to delivering exceptional rugby content, this collaboration is set to elevate the standard of coverage and engagement for audiences in the UK and Ireland.