Historic broadcast partnership for 2021 World Cup

RLWC2021 has announced a collaboration with IRL which will see both organisations working together on the broadcast production of matches at the tournament, in addition to the sale of broadcast rights across the world.

The partnership – along with the existing agreement with the BBC – will be responsible for the production of 61 matches across the RLWC2021 men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments next year.

The BBC has also confirmed that it will show every minute of every one of the 61 matches live on their platforms. The worldwide broadcast partners for the tournament will be announced in the coming months.

RLWC2021 chief executive Jon Dutton said: “The content needs of fans are changing radically and becoming more fragmented, and we want to stay ahead of the curve and meet these rapidly evolving demands.

“Our partnership with the IRL allows us to both execute a world class broadcast production and rights strategy, which will be at the centre of our fan engagement approach and will provide an additional revenue stream for all parties.”

IRL chief executive Nigel Wood added: “The opportunity to work collaboratively on the broadcast production is a very sensible commercial arrangement. It puts the whole presentation of the tournament in the hands of the organisers.

“Together with the tournament’s domestic broadcast partner the BBC, we can deliver a great experience for viewers of the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments. It also allows the tournament to make a range of content available to broadcasters of every kind around the world.

“Our offer to world broadcasters will be the most flexible and accessible World Cup ever.”

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