The Foxtel Group has announced it has secured the live and exclusive broadcast rights to the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, strengthening its position as the home of Rugby League in Australia.
The tournament – which will be held in England from October 15 to November 19 – will see all 61 matches aired on Fox Sports, and available on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
The coverage will include 31 men’s matches, and 15 women’s matches and will also feature a Wheelchair competition (15 matches) for the first time.
Broadcasting access to World Cup matches bolsters the Foxtel Group’s suite of existing NRL, RFL and UK Super League rights.
Fox Sports executive director Steve Crawley said: “Fox League and Kayo Sports are flying this season and to now add the Rugby League World Cup is something to bang the drums about. All exclusive rights across the 61 matches of men’s, women’s and wheelchair footy very much celebrates the best of the best – on the true homes of Rugby League.”
Rugby League World Cup chief executive Jon Dutton said: “We know that RLWC2021 is going to be the most watched World Cup and it is very pleasing it will be broadcast in Australia on Fox Sports, keeping the rights within the NRL family and with a network that Australian audiences are comfortable and familiar with. This is a great outcome for International Rugby League and Australian fans.”
The delayed World Cup was originally scheduled for 2021 and is still confusingly being branded as Rugby World Cup 2021.
The men’s and women’s finals will be played as a doubleheader on Saturday November 19 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Every match of the Rugby League World Cup will be shown live and exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
Top image: The Australian Kangaroos celebrate victory as captain Cameron Smith holds up the world cup trophy after the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final between the Australian Kangaroos and England at Suncorp Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
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