Unprecedented coverage for 2025 Men's Rugby Europe Championship

  • Federation
  • 30 Jan 2025

REC2025 is expanding its media footprint with new TV partners in Belgium and Switzerland, now allowing fans to enjoy the competition on linear TV in all eight participating countries and beyond.

Press Release via Rugby Europe

The Rugby Europe Championship all kicks off on January 31st where, for seven weeks, eight teams will battle it out to become the 2025 Champions, but that’s not all. This year’s competition will determine the four nations who will take their place on the global stage in qualifying for the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.

This edition with half of the participating teams able to qualify directly for Australia has generated unprecedented interest and coverage. For the first time fans will be able to enjoy the REC broadcast on linear TV in each participating country, as well as several other broadcasters around the world.

Historic highlight for Switzerland

Switzerland will feature this year for the first time, promoted to the Championship after a perfect 2023/2024 cycle in the Trophy division and have the chance to make their dream a possibility by claiming one of the golden tickets on offer. This historic first will be highlighted by the Swiss TV national group SSR, which will use its RTS 2 linear channel and SRI digital platforms to Edelweiss matches for the next two REC editions (2025 and 2026).

The 2025 competition will reach beyond the European continent with the partnership renewed with FloRugby, the North American rugby platform. American, Canadian or Mexican fans will be able to enjoy all the matches live with English commentary.

Janhein Pieterse, President of Rugby Europe said: “We are proud to see media interest growing around the Rugby Europe Championship. Since the change of format and the constant improvement of the TV product, we have managed to attract new and retain numerous long-standing partners, who are essential for the promotion of our competition, our teams and our sport in general.

I wish all the teams taking part the best of luck as they bid to reach the pinnacle of our sport - rest assured, we’re in for plenty of drama over the coming weeks! “

For all other territories, fans can watch every game live and free with English commentary on Rugby Europe TV.

Florent Marty, CEO of Rugby Europe, said: “This unprecedented TV coverage is a strong sign of the ever- growing popularity of the Rugby Europe Championship. The centralized TV rights model put in place in 2023 is showing increased returns for the footprint of the competition in new markets. Alongside our digital content creation efforts, Rugby Europe Championship will offer fans from around the world an unprecedented access to games and players.”

Round 1:

  • 31/01/25 – Romania v Germany, Bucharest, Arc de Triumf, 5:00pm CET
  • 1/2/25 – Georgia v Switzerland, Tbilisi, Achvala Stadium, 1pm CET
  • 1/2/25 – Portugal v Belgium, Lisbon, Estadia de Retelo Stadium, 8.30pm CET
  • 2/2/24 – Spain v Netherlands, Madrid, Estadio Central Universitario 12:45pm CET

First and third of each pool will earn the right to host a semi-final on the weekend of 1st and 2nd of March. For the Final Round (Final matches for 1st place, 3rd place, 5th place and 7th place) the best ranked team of the pool phase involved in each of the “Finals” will have the right to host its Final Match.

  • Read the full press release (www.rugbyeurope.eu)