BBC expand Premiership Women's Rugby coverage

BBC Sport will expand its women's rugby union coverage with a new deal to broadcast Premiership Women's Rugby matches for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.

A match will be streamed every week, with one semi-final and the final being shown live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

In May, Gloucester-Hartpury beat Saracens at StoneX Stadium to win their third PWR title in a row.

Next month England host the Women's Rugby World Cup, with John Mitchell's side the favourites to win the tournament.

BBC Sport have confirmed exclusive rights to broadcast every game of the tournament.

Select matches will be shown on the BBC's linear channels, while every game will be available to watch live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra will also broadcast radio commentary on the tournament.

Sunderland's Stadium of Light will host the opening game 22 August, while Twickenham will stage the final on 27 September.

"This deal is another big step in BBC Sport's commitment to women's sport," said BBC head of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.

"Premiership Women's Rugby is fast, physical and full of elite talent, and we're proud to bring that to audiences across the UK on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

"With the Women's Rugby World Cup exclusively on the BBC this summer, 2025 is a landmark year for women's sport, and we're right at the heart of it."

In 2023, English rugby union's top-tier women's domestic league was rebranded as Premiership Women's Rugby and it has continued to grow.

The nine-team league includes some of the sport's biggest stars, including World Rugby's women's player of the year Ellie Kildunne, who plays at full-back for Harlequins and England.

The league contains all of Mitchell's Red Roses, but also includes oversea stars such as Canada and Saracens number eight Sophie de Goede, with social media sensation Ilona Maher featuring last season on a short-term deal with Bristol Bears.

"Today marks another important step forward for Premiership Women's Rugby," PWR executive chair Genevieve Shore added.

"In partnership with the BBC we intend to give our incredible athletes the biggest platform possible, to show off the elite rugby talent that exists in this country.

"The Rugby World Cup later this year will be a breakthrough moment in our sport, but the story won't end there.

"The world's best players play their rugby every week in the PWR, and I am excited to say that now they'll also be shown every week on the BBC."