BBC beat ITV and Channel 4 to broadcasting rights for major sporting event as fans hail ‘the best news yet’

THE BBC have beaten ITV and Channel 4 to the broadcast rights for a major sporting event.

And fans are delighted by the "best news yet" ahead of the global tournament.

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The BBC announced on Thursday morning they have won exclusive rights for the Women's Rugby World Cup next year.

The 2025 tournament will be staged in England with matches at Twickenham, the Amex, Ashton Gate, the Stadium of Light as well as Sandy Park in Exeter, Northampton's Franklin Gardens, Salford Community Stadium and York Community Stadium.

But rugby fans wanting to watch the action from home will be able to do so on the Beeb.

That is after the national broadcaster pipped ITV and Channel 4 who both showed interest.

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ITV had the rights to the last Women's Rugby World Cup as part of the deal for the men's event - but this time World Rugby sold the women's packages separately for the first time.

And it is the BBC who secured the deal - adding the Women's Rugby World Cup to the Women's Six Nations for their international women's content.

The BBC will show every match at the 2025 tournament across their platforms - with selected fixtures picked for linear TV coverage and the rest on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website as well as radio commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra.

They will also show this autumn's WXV, the final qualifier for the 2025 World Cup.

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Alan Gilpin, chief executive of World Rugby, said: “The BBC is a massive champion of women’s rugby and women’s sport more broadly and with their multi-platform, diverse programming approach and regional reach, we look forward to making history together – the biggest, most accessible and record-breaking celebration of women’s rugby ever.”

And fans were quick to hail the news with many flooding to social media to express their delight.

One said: "That's the best news yet about the 2025 WRWC and WXV. Women's rugby has a different fan base than the men's game, and this will provide greater exposure to that base, attract new fans, and potential future players."

Another wrote: "Fantastic news and a brilliant way to promote Women’s rugby."

A third added: "Great news - free to air so maximum exposure."

And a final user commented: "Brilliant news! Can watch the games I'm not at."

Ten of the 16 qualifying teams have already been confirmed with Wales and Scotland set to join Ireland and hosts England.

The Red Roses are the favourites to win a third World Cup and first since 2014.

They were on the wrong end of an agonising 34-31 defeat to New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland in November 2022.

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