BT Sport to show all behind-closed-doors Premiership Rugby matches live
All Premiership Rugby matches played behind closed doors in the 2020-21 season will be shown live on BT Sport in the UK, the broadcaster has revealed.
Following discussions with the competition’s organisers, BT Sport will show all six games each weekend live across its TV channels, its app and on the btsport.com website.
Once crowds can safely return to stadia, BT Sport will revert to its usual broadcast schedule. BT Sport’s current rights deal, which lasts until the end of this season, allows it to show 80 of the 126 matches in a Premiership season.
At the same time, eligible club season ticket holders will be given free access to watch home Premiership matches on the BT Sport App up until Christmas when the provision will be reviewed.
The BT Sport Match Pass is designed for season ticket holders of participating clubs who do not already have a BT Sport subscription and who cannot attend their home matches due to the current restrictions.
Eligibility for the Match Pass is at the discretion of individual clubs and is not determined by BT. More information will be made available to season ticket holders via clubs.
Simon Green, the head of BT Sport, said: “BT Sport is the go-to for club rugby fans this coming season, with every minute of every Gallagher Premiership Rugby match broadcast live, while matches are played behind closed doors.
“Alongside exclusively live coverage of the Heineken Champions Cup, matches every week from the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup, and live and exclusive coverage of the UEFA Champions League, our viewers can look forward to a packed schedule of sport in the coming months.”
BT Sport will present its coverage live from the grounds. Pundits and commentators will include Craig Doyle, Sarra Elgan, Martin Bayfield, Ugo Monye, Ben Kay, Lawrence Dallaglio, Austin Healey, Nick Mullins and Ali Eykyn.
Viewers of matches that are produced by BT Sport (and airing on BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2, BT Sport 3 or BT Sport ESPN) will be able to watch with augmented stadium sound
BT Sport will also make selected games available in 4K via BT Sport Ultimate. Match coverage will be produced remotely in order to comply with COVID-19 restrictions.
Mark Brittain, chief commercial officer at Premiership Rugby said: “Our fans are the lifeblood of the game so while matches are being played behind closed doors it was crucial we gave them access to watch Gallagher Premiership Rugby live on BT Sport.
“I’m delighted that BT Sport shared in this vision and, in partnership with our clubs, we can also provide the added benefit of ensuring eligible season ticket holders will be offered free access to their club’s home games on the BT Sport App for the first four rounds.”
The new Premiership Rugby season starts on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate tomorrow (Friday 20 November) with reigning champions Exeter Chiefs travelling to the Twickenham Stoop to face Harlequins.