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EBU and Rugby Europe agree to Sevens rights deal
By Ian Cameron
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Rugby Europe have come together in a major collaboration to bring Rugby Sevens to selected European territories, they confirmed on Thursday.
The agreement, which has been reached between EBU and Rugby Europe, the governing body for Rugby Union on the continent, will allow EBU Members to broadcast the Rugby Europe Men's and Women's Championship Series in 2023 and 2024.
The initial deal grants Eurovision Sport exclusive live rights for EBU Members in Czechia (CT), Lithuania (LRT), Poland (TVP), and Spain (RTVE), with the possibility of including more Members from additional territories. EBU Members will provide coverage centered around their respective national teams and will utilize both linear and non-linear platforms to bring the excitement to viewers. News clips from the events will also be distributed through Eurovision Sports News, and the tournaments will receive promotion across the social media platforms of both the Members and Rugby Europe.
The agreement encompasses the following events:
Rugby Europe Men & Women Sevens Championship Series 2023
Leg 1: Algarve Sevens Tournament – 9-11 June
Leg 2: Hamburg Sevens Tournament – 7-9 July
Participating Men's Teams: Spain, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Lithuania, Georgia, Ireland, Great Britain, Romania, Czechia.
Participating Women's Teams: Poland, Ireland, Great Britain, France, Spain, Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Romania.
Rugby Europe Men & Women Sevens Championship Series 2024
Leg 1: Algarve Sevens Tournament – June or July 2024
Leg 2: Hamburg Sevens Tournament – June or July 2024
The Rugby Europe Sevens Championships will determine the Men's and Women's Rugby Sevens European Champions based on their rankings after the two rounds of competition. Reigning champions Spain (men) and Poland (women) will face tough competition from other formidable contenders, including Germany and Ireland, both of which emerged victorious in previous editions, as well as Great Britain and France, who are part of the esteemed World Rugby World Series.
Andreas Aristodemou, Head of Summer Sports at Eurovision Sport, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to enrich our expanding portfolio with the Rugby Europe Sevens events. These national team events are perfectly aligned with our Members' DNA of supporting Olympic sports at the highest possible level, and we are proud to support Rugby Sevens for the next two years."
Florent Marty, CEO of Rugby Europe, added, "We are delighted to partner with EBU for the promotion of our Sevens European Championship Series. Thanks to their expertise in top-level sports events and their impressive broadcaster network and membership, this will be a huge opportunity to promote Rugby Sevens and to expose the European talents and national teams to sports fans, especially ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games."
Rugby Sevens, a fast-paced variant of traditional Rugby Union played with seven players per side, made its debut on the Olympic stage in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. Since then, it has gained popularity among a younger and more diverse demographic of Olympic fans.
The involvement of Eurovision Sport with Rugby Sevens extends beyond the European Championship Series. This year, a collaboration between Eurovision Sport and the Krakow 2023 European Games (21 June - 2 July 2023) will feature an Olympic Qualifier event for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, marking the first-ever appearance of Rugby Sevens in the prestigious event.
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Latest Comments
Who, Berry?! His rudeness to Kolisi, our freaking captain, was there for all to see!! Utterly disgraceful.
Erm, I only had one statement - as in 'only one full stop' so not sure where the 'irrelevance' comes in?
Go to commentsLet's be clear: Foster did not back unaquivocally players such as Vaa'i, Tamaiti and Roigard. Yes, he selected them in the squad, but it's a stretch to say he backed them. Those three players have only been backed fully this year (and thrived) under the new regime. There was massive hesitation to give those three guys serious game time in games of consequence.
It's another not-so-subtle dig from the old dynasty at any achievements Razor may be credited for.
Roigard in particular was a mind-baffling omission from the finals of the WC. After being the AB's best player against SA in the pre-WC match, he was not sighted in the big games that followed. Roigard is the type of guy who can win a game with a moment of brilliance, yet the established but uninspiring Christie was preferred to close out a close WC final.
So please, Fozzie, spare us the barely veiled laments about your unfair treatment and unseen achievements. The fact you feel you have to point them out is telling in itself. And it shows that despite saying you've moved on, you and your mate Hansen most definitely haven't.
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