RLWC2021 announce international TV rights partner
Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) has today (16 Feb) announced the appointment of UK-based agency RDA to support the tournament on international media distribution rights.
The partnership with RDA, who has extensive experience and knowledge in media rights across multiple sports including rugby league, rugby union, cricket and football, will cover all markets outside of the UK & Ireland, including the key territories of Australia and New Zealand.
RLWC2021 is a unique and inclusive tournament with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments being held concurrently for the first time ever in October and November this year, seeing 32 teams from 21 nations playing a total of 61 matches at 21 world class venues in England including St James’ Park, Anfield, Emirates Stadium, Elland Road and Old Trafford.
In the UK and Ireland, the BBC will show every minute of every match live across their platforms, with both RLWC2021 and RDA now working together to make the tournament available to more people than ever before across the world.
Jonathan Neill, RLWC2021 Commercial Director, said: “The appointment of RDA as our international media distribution rights agency supports our ambition to make this the biggest, best, most accessible and viewed Rugby League World Cup ever.
“Our broadcast distribution and coverage is critical to that and we want to ensure that as many people as possible around the world are able to watch and engage with the tournament, both in established rugby league territories such as Australia and New Zealand, but also in new and emerging markets.”
“This also enables us to generate additional income and deliver a profitable tournament, whilst creating a legacy for the International Rugby League (IRL) - who we are collaborating with on our broadcast strategy and activity - for future men’s, women’s and wheelchair World Cups.”
Richard Dennis, RDA CEO, said: “RLWC2021 will be world class and one of the biggest sporting events in the UK this year. With an outstanding production in place, we’re looking forward to working with broadcasters in established rugby league markets and bringing the tournament to viewers in countries that are new to the sport.”
For more information, contact:
Michael Gibson, Communications Lead, RLWC2021,michael.gibson@rlwc2021.com, +44 (0) 7435 556074
About Rugby League World Cup 2021
The Rugby League World Cup is the pinnacle major event of rugby league, globally contested every four years. RLWC2021 will be a breakthrough moment in the tournament’s history with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions being staged together for the first time.
The three tournaments will take place across 21 venues throughout England. Both the women’s and wheelchair competitions will be contested by two groups of four teams, whilst the men’s tournament will see 16 teams compete across four groups.
RLWC2021 will be the most visible Rugby League event in history with all 61 games in the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions being broadcast live on the BBC.
Vision: Creating inspirational moments that excite, engage and leave a long-lasting legacy.
Mission: Delivering the biggest and best ever Rugby League World Cup.
About RDA
RDA is a UK-based sports media rights agency, with a strong focus in rugby union, rugby league and cricket. Its clients and rights experience include British & Irish Lions, Premiership Rugby, Pro14 Rugby, Super League, Rugby Football League, GB Lions, Afghanistan Cricket Board, Zimbabwe Cricket, Abu Dhabi Cricket and West Ham United.
