DAZN Secures EPCR Rugby Rights Across Multiple International Markets
Streaming service DAZN has secured a wide-ranging broadcast rights agreement with European rugby union’s EPCR governing body covering the elite Champions Cup and secondary EPCR Challenge Cup across multiple international markets, according to sportcal.com.
DAZN Secures Streaming Rights for Italian Rugby Teams
The deal delivers global coverage to several regions, with Italy emerging as a prominent market under the agreement. DAZN will stream every Champions Cup match live with English-language commentary while distributing one match per round free-to-air. No Italian teams qualified for the Champions Cup for the 2026-27 campaign, but the country’s two United Rugby Championship representatives, Benetton Rugby and Zebre Parma, will compete in the Challenge Cup. Consequently, DAZN will stream every Challenge Cup fixture featuring Benetton and Zebre live with Italian-language commentary.
The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and DaZn sign a broadcast deal. https://t.co/bigeaayb8d
Coexistence with EPCR TV Platform
The platform’s new rights do not affect the existing coverage provided by the EPCR TV direct-to-consumer platform, which continues to broadcast both tournaments. Benetton and Zebre both reached the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup in the 2025-26 season.
Executive Perspectives on Regional Growth
EPCR chief commercial and marketing officer John Barton stated that expanding international profile and accessibility remains a priority. “Italy is a particularly exciting market for us, and combining free-to-air and subscription coverage, alongside EPCR TV, will give more fans the opportunity to engage with the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup,” Barton said.
DAZN chief executive Shay Segev noted that the partnership combines the governing body’s competitions with the platform’s reach. “By combining EPCR’s world-class rugby competitions with DAZN’s global reach and innovative platform, we can bring the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup to more fans across more markets,” Segev said.
Global Territories and Free-to-Air Access
Alongside Italy, DAZN acquired rights in several international markets targeting emerging rugby territories. In Europe, these include the DACH region of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, the Benelux nations of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as Poland and Romania. Outside of Europe, the broadcaster picked up rights in Brazil, the Caribbean islands, Japan, the Pacific islands, and the Middle East and North Africa region. Broadcasts across these international markets will be free-to-air, featuring live coverage, delayed broadcasts, and on-demand replays.
Upcoming Weekend Kickoff Schedule
Group stage matches for both the Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup kick off this weekend.