Updated October 24, 2026
Rugby union and rugby league share a ball shape and not much else when it comes to TV rights. In the US, the two codes live on different streaming services. Some of the biggest events are on services most casual fans have never heard of.
This guide sorts every major competition by code, tells you where to watch each one in the US, and flags what is live now. Two events matter most this fall. The Rugby League World Cup is under way in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, and rugby union’s new Nations Championship heads to a finals weekend at Twickenham on November 27–29.
Quick Answer: What to Watch Right Now
Rugby League World Cup (league): Streams on Premier Sports. A one-off $25 pass covers all 53 games across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments. It runs October 15 to November 15.
Nations Championship (union): Streams on RugbyPass TV with a free account. The November rounds lead into Finals Weekend on November 27–29.
Champions Cup, URC and PREM Rugby (union clubs): All on FloRugby, which is a paid subscription.
NRL and Super League (league clubs): Both 2026 seasons have finished. The NRL returns in 2027.
The Quick Difference Between the Two Codes
Rugby union is the 15-a-side game behind the Six Nations, the Rugby World Cup and the All Blacks. Rugby league is the 13-a-side game behind the NRL, Super League and State of Origin. They have separate governing bodies, separate competitions and, in the US, separate broadcasters.
That is why “I want to watch rugby” has no single answer here.
Rugby Union: Where to Watch in the US
Competition US viewing option Status
Nations Championship RugbyPass TV (free account) Finals Weekend Nov 27–29
Champions Cup FloRugby Season under way
United Rugby Championship FloRugby Season under way
PREM Rugby (Premiership) FloRugby Season under way
Super Rugby Pacific RugbyPass TV (free) Returns early 2027
Six Nations NBC Sports / Peacock February–March 2027
Rugby World Cup 2027 Paramount+ (CBS) 2027
Nations Championship
The Nations Championship is rugby union’s newest international tournament. It brings together the six Six Nations teams and the Rugby Championship nations, plus Fiji and Japan. It replaces the traditional July tours and the Autumn Nations Series for those teams. The finals weekend runs November 27–29 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
There is no US television broadcaster. Sources covering the tournament list RugbyPass TV, World Rugby’s streaming platform, as the US home. You need an account, not a subscription fee. In Canada, the rights sit with Premier Sports.
Club Rugby: Champions Cup, URC and PREM Rugby
FloRugby is the US home for the Investec Champions Cup, the United Rugby Championship, PREM Rugby and Top 14. The 2026–27 Champions Cup started on October 16 and runs through May 22, 2027. FloRugby is a paid service, priced at [VERIFY BEFORE PUBLISHING: sources list $29.99 and $39.99 a month]. Check its pricing page before you subscribe.
Super Rugby Pacific
For 2026, Super Rugby Pacific streamed free on RugbyPass TV in the US. The 2027 season is not confirmed yet, so check before it starts.
Six Nations and the 2027 Rugby World Cup
NBC Sports is the Six Nations’ US partner, and every 2026 match streamed on Peacock. Six Nations Rugby says full 2027 broadcast details will come closer to the tournament, so confirm the 2027 listing before you subscribe. Our Six Nations without cable guide has more detail.
The 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup is covered by CBS Sports, with every match streaming on Paramount+ and select games on CBS. The same deal covers USA Eagles matches and HSBC SVNS through 2029.
Rugby League: Where to Watch in the US
Competition US viewing option Status
Rugby League World Cup Premier Sports ($25 pass) Oct 15–Nov 15
NRL Fox Sports and Watch NRL Season over; returns 2027
Super League SuperLeague+; some Fox airings Season over
Rugby League World Cup
Premier Sports has the US rights. Its RLWC26 Pass costs $25 as a one-off payment and includes all 53 games across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments. Premier Sports Player works online, on desktop and on iOS and Android apps.
Most kickoffs land in the middle of the night or early morning in the US. Here are the remaining men’s fixtures, converted to Eastern time:
Date Match Time (ET)
Sun, Oct 25 Australia vs Fiji 5:05 a.m.
Fri, Oct 30 England vs Papua New Guinea 5:05 a.m.
Sat, Oct 31 Australia vs Cook Islands 5:05 a.m.
Sun, Nov 1 Tonga vs Samoa 4:05 a.m.
Sat–Sun, Nov 7–8 Semi-finals 4:05 a.m.
Sun, Nov 15 Final (Brisbane) 3:35 a.m.
Important: These times are converted from published UK kickoff times. Recheck them against the official tournament site before publishing or travelling. Replays let you skip the alarm clock.
NRL
The NRL’s official broadcaster list names Fox Sports for the US. It carries three regular-season matches a week, plus the finals and State of Origin. The league’s own Watch NRL streaming service covers every game outside Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Fox Sports channels need a TV provider or a live TV streaming service that carries them. The league’s page lists the details.
The 2026 season finished on October 4. See our NRL without cable guide before the 2027 season.
Super League
Wakefield Trinity won the 2026 Super League title, beating Warrington Wolves 23–10 at Old Trafford. In the US, coverage reported by TechRadar runs through SuperLeague+, a pay-per-view platform, with some matches airing later on Fox Soccer Plus and Fox One. Confirm 2027 arrangements before the season starts.
Which Setup Fits You
You want the big international events this fall: RugbyPass TV for union (free) plus Premier Sports’ $25 pass for the league World Cup.
You follow weekly club union: FloRugby is the one service covering the Champions Cup, URC and PREM Rugby.
You follow league through the year: Fox Sports for select NRL games, or Watch NRL for every match, once the 2027 season begins.
You are minimizing cost: RugbyPass TV is free, and the Premier Sports pass is a one-off payment rather than a monthly plan.
Outside the US
Rights are territory-specific, so a US plan generally works only in the US.
UK and Ireland: Premier Sports has the Rugby League World Cup. ITV carries the Nations Championship in the UK.
Canada: Premier Sports has both the Rugby League World Cup and the Nations Championship.
Australia: Seven Network and 7plus carry the Rugby League World Cup free. Nine and Stan Sport carry the Nations Championship.
New Zealand: Sky Sport covers both competitions, with select league games free on ThreeNow.
If you already subscribe to a service at home and travel abroad, a VPN may help you reach it, but availability depends on the service’s terms and the underlying rights. A VPN does not give you access you don’t already have. NordVPN is one option. This is an affiliate link, and we haven’t independently tested it with any rugby service. See our VPN guide for rugby streaming for more.
FAQs
Is rugby union or rugby league easier to find in the US?
Neither is simple. Union is spread across FloRugby, RugbyPass TV, Paramount+ and Peacock. League is split among Premier Sports, Fox Sports, Watch NRL and SuperLeague+.
Is the Rugby League World Cup free to watch in the US?
No. The Premier Sports pass costs $25. It is free in Australia on 7plus, but that access is limited to Australia.
Is the Nations Championship free in the US?
Sources list RugbyPass TV as the US home, with a free account. Check the sign-up page when you register.
Can I watch the NRL in the US?
Yes, through Fox Sports for select games, or Watch NRL for every match. The 2026 season has ended.
When does the Six Nations return?
February and March 2027. Confirm the US broadcaster closer to the date.
Can I watch on my phone?
Premier Sports Player has iOS and Android apps. RugbyPass TV and FloRugby also have apps.
Bottom Line
For the next few weeks, pair RugbyPass TV with a $25 Premier Sports pass and you can follow both the Nations Championship finals and the Rugby League World Cup. For weekly club union, FloRugby is the main option. League fans can wait for the 2027 NRL season to decide between Fox Sports and Watch NRL.
Pricing and availability can change. Check each provider’s official website before subscribing.
