this post was submitted on 07 Feb 2025
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ESPN and Major League Rugby Announce Multiyear Media Rights Agreement (www.majorleague.rugby)
submitted 2 weeks ago by baronvonj to c/usmlr
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ESPN and Major League Rugby (MLR) have reached a multiyear media rights agreement, bringing the highest level of professional rugby in the United States to ESPN platforms. Live coverage begins on Saturday, Feb. 15 as the 2025 season kicks off with five matches (6 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

Under the agreement, all regular season and playoff games will stream live on ESPN+, with a select number of matches presented on ESPN2. Additionally, fans can stream replays of each match, highlights and rugby content on The Rugby Network, following a 72-hour delay. As part of the agreement, Major League Rugby will be available across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Emphasis added. I'm not aware of any free options for ESPN networks. So watching all the out-of-market matches for free seems to be over in the USA now. Peac

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[–] baronvonj 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Rugby Morning folks confirmed on the r/MLRugby discord that there will be 6 matches on ESPN2. Also the conference finals and championship will be on ESPN2. So it sounds like only those blessed with a cable subscription package for ESPN2 (including Hulu Live, YouTubeTV, etc) will be able to watch the conference finals and championship live (other than actually physically going to the matches, of course).

edit: - Rugby Morning team just said on discord that they're hearing "matches will air simultaneously". So that at least brings the paywall down to just ESPN+ price.