European rugby union’s Six Nations national teams tournament will return to free-to-air (FTA) in Italy after state broadcaster Rai agreed a deal with pay-TV operator Sky Italia.
Under a sublicensing agreement, Rai will provide coverage of Italy’s matches in the men’s and women’s Six Nations, as well as the men's Six Nations Under 20 tournament and the Autumn Nations Series.
The competitions will be shown simultaneously on Sky, which holds full rights to the Six Nations, and its Now streaming service.
Sky’s two-year rights deal for the Six Nations expires after this year’s edition.
The deal sees Rai acquire live rights to the six-team tournament for the first time in 22 years.
Italy will begin their 2025 men’s Six Nations campaign on February 1 against Scotland, before the double home clash with Wales and France.
This will be followed by a match against England at Twickenham, before closing at home to Ireland on March 15.
The Women’s Six Nations, meanwhile, begins on March 23, with Italy facing England in their opener.
