Hot Off the Press Release: Sky Renews Sevens Deal

Sky TV will screen an unprecedented 230 hours-plus of each HSBC World Rugby Series over the next four years.

Coverage will start this weekend, following Sky and World Rugby renewing their partnership for four more years.

Here’s the full press release:

World Rugby and Sky New Zealand extend Sevens partnership 

World Rugby has announced the renewal of its successful partnership with Sky New Zealand to broadcast the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series for a further four years to 2023.

In a boost for sevens fans, for the first time ever, the deal includes coverage of every game from every men’s and women’s tournament.

The extended deal includes more than 230 hours of coverage per series and highlights programmes for each tournament.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “We are entering a huge season for rugby sevens, not only with the women’s competition increasing to eight rounds for the first time in history, but with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on the horizon, so we are delighted to be extending our successful partnership with Sky New Zealand at such an exciting time for our sport.

“New Zealand had a strong 2019 season with both men’s and women’s teams qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games and with the women winning the overall series title, giving fans much to celebrate. We are incredibly excited that New Zealand will host its first women’s world series event this year alongside the men’s competition in Hamilton which is hugely important as we continue to grow our fan base in this market as we build towards Rugby World Cup 2021.”

Chief Executive at Sky, Martin Stewart added: “The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is one of sport’s most exciting properties. We are delighted to continue our partnership with the team at World Rugby in order to deliver this top tier sport to New Zealanders. We’ll be side by side with our sevens teams all the way, including to the Tokyo Olympics!
“We are particularly thrilled to be able to broadcast the women’s tournaments this time around and we’re looking forward to watching the New Zealand women’s side take on Japan, Russia and England when the opening tournament kicks off this weekend.
“The depth and breadth of our sports offer is second to none, and we continue to add more. This latest deal follows the announcement of our six-year deal with Cricket Australia, including the iconic Boxing Day Test with Australia.”

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2020 starts this weekend [6-7 October NZT] in Glendale, Colorado with the opening tournament of the women’s series, which increases to eight rounds for the first time in history.

The men’s competition begins in Dubai on 5-7 December.

This weekend’s coverage will be available to Sky customers on Sky Sport 1 and via the Sky Sport Now app with coverage starting from 4.45am NZT Sunday [6 October] with New Zealand taking on Japan at 6.40am, Russia at 9.25am and England at 12.30pm.

Full coverage:

• Day 1 – Sunday 6 October 4.45am-1pm NZT
• Day 2 – Monday 7 October 5am-12.30pm NZT

See full schedule here: https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/calendar.