Major sporting tournament set to come off free-to-air TV for first time in its history as £100m price tag revealed

A MAJOR sporting tournament could be set to come off free-to-air TV for the first time in its history.

Broadcasters have been told it will cost £100million to secure the rights to the event once the current deal expires.

The new price represents a £10million increase from the four-year contract which runs out in March.

As a result, the event could leave free-to-air TV ahead of the start of the 2026 edition.

The event at risk is the Six Nations, with the reporting its future on the BBC is in doubt.

A tender process is due to begin imminently after the BBC admitted they would struggle to afford the new price tag.

Their current deal from 2021 to 2025 was priced at £90million, but will come to and end after next year's tournament.

TNT Sports currently appear the most likely destination for the Six Nations once a new broadcaster is decided.

They already have deals in place for the Premiership and autumn internationals.

Meanwhile, a possible joint deal with ITV has also been reported, allowing some matches to remain on free-to-air TV.

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The report adds that there are currently no plans to force the Six Nations to be offered to free-to-air broadcasters.

It comes after calls to make the tournament a category A event, meaning it would have to be put to the BBC, ITV or Channel 4.

Instead, it remains a category B event and can be on subscription services such as TNT Sports.

Highlights must be offered on free-to-air channels, though, even if matches are not broadcast live.

The 2025 Six Nations is set to get underway on January 31 with a clash between France and Wales in Paris.

Ireland are the current defending champions after winning their 16th title earlier this year.