ESPN announces new TV, streaming deal with Major League Rugby
ESPN announces new TV, streaming deal with Major League Rugby
The deal takes effect this year, and viewers will be able to stream all matches with an ESPN+ subscription.
Is rugby the next international sport that could take American audiences by storm? ESPN is certainly hoping so. The network has announced a new deal with Major League Rugby, the highest level of professional rugby played in the United States. The deal will allow some matches to be broadcast on ESPN2, but the vast majority will be exclusively found on the ESPN+ streaming service.
Key Details:
- ESPN+ will carry all regular season and playoff rugby matches under the terms of the deal.
- The 2025 MLR season starts Saturday, Feb. 15.
- Deal will give MLR a chance to “supercharge” its audience growth.
Under the terms of the deal, ESPN+ will carry all regular season and playoff MLR matches. Select matches will also air on ESPN2, and after a 72-hour delay fans will be able to stream replays of each match, highlights, and rugby content via The Rugby Network streaming service.
“Major League Rugby has built a strong foundation as the premier professional rugby league in North America, and we’re thrilled to be part of its next phase of growth,” ESPN SVP Tim Bunnell said. “As MLR continues to establish itself on the North American sports landscape, we look forward to bringing the league’s dynamic competition to an even wider audience.”
First founded in 2017, Major League Rugby now has 11 teams in the United States. The 2025 season starts on Saturday, Feb. 15, and continues through June 28, when the MLR Championship will be played. One of the main goals in partnering with ESPN is to continue enhancing the sport’s public profile in the United States, according to MLR commissioner Nic Benson.
“During our 2024 campaign we grew our viewership by more than 25 percent year over year,” Benson said. “We are hyperfocused on increasing our audience and introducing rugby to more American sports fans every year. This relationship with ESPN will give us an opportunity to supercharge that growth. Given the depth of talent across the league, I’m confident we’re headed toward our most exciting season yet. This strategic agreement will enable more of our fans to tune in for some best-in-class rugby action.”
ESPN+ already offers thousands of live sports events every year, including a ton of exclusive events that fans can’t see anywhere else. Now, viewers will have to add Major League Rugby to that list. Standalone plans to ESPN+ start at $12 per month, or you can get it in the Disney Bundle starting at $17 per month.
ESPN Select
ESPN Select is a streaming service that replaced ESPN+ and provides access to live NHL, MLB, and MLS games, PGA Tour Golf, international sports events, ESPN original programming, and a complete archive of “30 for 30.” Find out our review of the service and how to start streaming ESPN Select.