• World Rugby has launched its first streaming platform on which it says it will host full matches, documentaries and more than 10 000 hours of archive content.
• However, as it stands it only includes match highlights and documentaries.
• The platform is free, the body says, while not confirming if the 2023 World Cup will be streamed on it as of yet.

The global governing body for the sport of Rugby has launched its first streaming platform ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France – RugbyPass TV. The streaming platform offers content for free but matches are capped as only the highlights, at least for right now. However full documentaries are on offer from series like Gits and Genia.

World Rugby explains that rugby fans will be able to view events on the platform ahead of the upcoming World Cup which begins with France v. New Zealand on 8th September. Champions from 2019 the Springboks will be looking to defend their title.

“The platform will ensure that every try, kick, pass and tackle is available from the tournament and accessible in every nation. It will also play a leading role in the promotion, accessibility and impact of WXV, launching this year,” it explains in a press release sent to Hypertext.

“RugbyPass TV will blend unparalleled coverage of the world’s top events including the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups, WXV and the HSBC SVNS with exclusive behind the scenes, documentary and feature content produced by World Rugby Studios involving the sport’s biggest stars,” World Rugby says about the platform’s launch.

The announcement adds that the platform will ensure that the 2023 edition of the Rugby World Cup is “the most widely accessible rugby event ever” and provide a destination for live coverage for countries that have rugby fans but have no broadcasters with rights to the live matches.

This does not confirm if the matches from the latest event will be streamed on the platform as of yet.

As it stands, the platform is just an aggregator of the body’s library. The body says that more than 10 000 hours of archive content will eventually be uploaded, including “full match replays, highlights, tries and magical moments.” These full matches are not yet available as of time of writing.

“We are excited to be launching RugbyPass TV for fans around the world. This important move builds on the recent acquisition of RugbyPass and the strengthening of our fan engagement capability. It represents a key strategy in our mission to make rugby truly global by making the sport more accessible and more relevant to more people,” enthuses World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin.

“This is a statement of intent to set the sport up for success, for all our unions, regions and the wider rugby ecosystem, and a result of a significant business transformation to convert our vision into meaningful growth outcomes. RugbyPass TV will deepen connections with audiences and accelerate growth beyond our traditional markets.”

World Rugby adds that it intends to grow the content library on the platform and even begin producing localised content through 2024. The site can be accessed here.