- TNT is the UK’s leading broadcaster of the European game’s top competitions.
- Talks between European Rugby and TNT over a new contract have stalled.
- New ideas are being considered for hosting the ‘Destination’ Champions Cup semi-finals
European rugby coaches are yet to agree a new TV deal with TNT Sports for next season, but a new idea is being considered to host ‘destination’ Champions Cup semi-finals.
TNT, formerly known as BT Sport, is the UK’s main broadcast partner for the European game’s top competitions. This season they broadcast all Champions Cup matches live.
TNT is also the main TV partner of the Gallagher Premiership. Last month, they confirmed their expansion into international rugby and committed to providing live coverage of all 21 Autumn Nations Series matches later this year, including England’s games against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan.
But talks between European Rugby and TNT over a new contract have stalled with no immediate solution in sight. This means that as things stand, it is unclear which channel Champions Cup matches will be shown in the UK in the 2024/25 campaign. Northampton and Harlequins lost to Leinster and Toulouse in the semi-finals last weekend.
Both matches were held in Dublin’s Croke Park and Stadium de Toulouse respectively.
Left to right: Austin Healy, Lawrence Dallaglio and Craig Doyle of TNT before the Champions Cup semi-final at Croke Park on Saturday.
Toulouse advanced to the semi-finals against Harlequins after a match played in their home city.
The final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25 has sparked criticism from some as both teams have played their last four games in their home cities.
However, in future seasons both Champions Cup semi-finals could be held at the same venue, creating a celebration of rugby in one place. Mail Sport understands Portugal and Benfica’s Estadio da Luz have sought to do exactly that this season. This proposal was rejected, but you may hear a different response when a similar proposal comes up in the next few years.
European Rugby president Dominic McKay previously revealed his big ambitions for the Champions and Challenge Cups as part of rugby’s plans to grow the game globally.
Last February, McKay confirmed that the Spanish city of Bilbao would host the 2026 Challenge and Champions Cup finals and that bringing those showpiece matches to the United States was a serious possibility in the future.
But securing a new British broadcasting deal must be one of the most pressing priorities for McKay and European Rugby chief executive Jacques Raynaud.
Talks between European Rugby and TNT over a new contract have stalled.
After almost pulling off a thrilling comeback in Toulouse’s own backyard before losing 38-26, Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care turned his attention to securing a Premiership play-off spot.
With two games left in the regular season, England’s top league faces a thrilling final.
Leaders Northampton, Saracens, Bath and Bristol currently occupy the coveted top four places. Harlequins are fifth but level on points with the Bears.
Experienced No 9 Care will be hoping to shake off the disappointment against Toulouse when his side travel to Exeter on Saturday. Harlequins’ final game is against play-off rivals Bristol.
Danny Care has his sights set on securing a Premiership play-off spot after losing to Toulouse.
‘We have to do that. It would be very disappointing if, after everything we’ve been through, we don’t get to the semi-finals or finals of the Premiership this season. ‘We are desperate,’ Care said.
‘We know how difficult it is. We have another big game against Exeter on Saturday. We’ll probably need to win both of our remaining games to get into the top four.
‘We’ll give it our all and try to get to the Premier League final. We really felt we could come close and win against a team as good as Toulouse. Perhaps it should be so.
‘Now we’re back in the Premier League. We have to dry our tears pretty quickly.’
