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The chair of International Rugby League has hit back at criticism over the decision to sell UK broadcast rights for this year’s World Cup to Premier Sports, thus putting the competition behind a paywall. Coverage has previously gone to the BBC and been aired for free, however, fans in the UK and Ireland will have to pay to watch this year’s Rugby League World Cup, a decision that hasn’t gone down well. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Wigan’s own MP Lisa Nandy, was among those to challenge the decision as she urged the IRL to ‘work with UK free to air broadcasters’. Grant has now been quoted in Australian paper The Daily Telegraph with the IRL chief explaining exactly why the World Cup will not be shown on the BBC, stating simply: “We can’t run World Cups for free.” Fans who do intend to watch the World Cup will have to pay at least £18.99 to purchase a rolling monthly contract to watch Premier Sports, or pay £13.99 per month for a full year’s coverage. International Rugby League higher-ups explain why UK has no free-to-air World Cup coverage Referring to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup [held in 2022 due to the pandemic], Grant said: “The BBC got given the rights for free and the strategy was to get more eyeballs on the game – and it did. It worked, but we can’t run World Cups for free.” As for 2026 and the decision to go with Premier Sports, he said: “The BBC were invited to tender, like everyone was, and we’re really happy with our partner in Premier Sports. “In Australia, it’s on free-to-air television with Channel Seven, who have paid for the rights. “If the BBC take a different approach, that’s a matter for the BBC to explain to their viewers, not us.” As yet, the BBC haven’t issued a statement on why they didn’t bid for the competition with the broadcaster’s next installment of rugby league action coming next week, when Wakefield play York Knights. IRL board member Danny Kazandjian also took to X to respond to the complaints of some UK and Irish-based fans, starting that to best fulfil the board’s obligations to their 50+ members then commercial revenue has to be generated. He also denied any suggestion that ‘politics’ in regards the potential NRL investment in the RFL played a part, stating: “I can assure you that politics had nothing to do with it. We instructed IMG to get the best possible commercial return & after 10mnths [sic] in a challenging market they did, having talked to all broadcasters. IRL’s purpose is to grow the global game & the RLWC is a vehicle to do that.” When countered with the point that the game cannot grow without eyeballs, Kazandjian said: “The Board’s duty is to serve the interests of the company and that duty was discharged with this outcome, which enables IRL to invest in global development. I’m afraid I am unable to discuss details of the broadcast negotiations.” I can assure you that politics had nothing to do with it. We instructed IMG to get the best possible commercial return & after 10mnths in a challenging market they did, having talked to all broadcasters. IRL’s purpose is to grow the global game & the RLWC is a vehicle to do that. — Danny Kazandjian (@KazandjianDanny) August 20, 2026 1 Comment - Well done – no viewers! Fantastic result………….