How to Watch Rugby World Cup 2023 Live Stream Online Free

There’s nothing quite like the Rugby World Cup: the thrill, the rush, the energy. Regarded as one of the biggest international sporting events worldwide, the tournament unites rugby fans globally as the best teams battle for the prestigious title.

If you share the same passion for the sport and wonder how to be part of the great experience, this is your go-to guide. We’ll explore the various options for live streaming the Rugby World Cup 2023, regardless of where you are.

The Rugby World Cup 2023 will feature 20 teams divided into four pools of five teams each. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the knockout stage, consisting of quarter-finals, semi-finals, a Silver final, and a grand final to determine the champion.

Get all the essential details you need to enjoy the 2023 Rugby World Cup here! Learn how to live-stream every match, watch them on TV, and listen on the radio. Don’t miss a moment of the action!

Start Date:	Friday, Sep. 8, 2023
End Date:	Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023
Host nation:	France
No. of nations‎:	20
Total Matches:	48
Live Stream HD:	WATCH LIVE
Current Champion:	South Africa

How to Stream Rugby World Cup free from anywhere (Quick Guide)

Some countries let you watch the Rugby World Cup for free, while others charge for it. For instance, UK viewers can watch all matches for free on ITVX. It’s on Peacock in the USA, but you need to pay. In Canada, you need a TSN+ subscription.

In New Zealand, some matches are free on Sky Open TV, but you need the Sky Sport Now package for all of them. There’s also RugbyPass TV, which free streams the games in certain places.

If you’re travelling or outside these areas, you can use a VPN. This software lets you change your online location and watch your preferred platform.

How to Watch RWC 2023 Matches from anywhere:

Sign up for ExpressVPN. They offer a 30-day trial.
Use the VPN to connect to a UK server.
Go to ITVX and make a free account. Check their TV schedule Here.
Watch the Rugby World Cup on ITVX in English.

When and where is the Rugby World Cup 2023 taking place?

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is scheduled in France from September 8 to October 28. This will be the tenth men’s Rugby World Cup and the first to be hosted entirely in France.

The tournament will be played across nine different venues throughout the country. The opening game and the final will be held at the Stade de France, located north of Paris.

This event is particularly significant as it marks the bicentenary year of the “invention” of rugby by William Webb Ellis.

The competition also serves as a precursor to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, occurring less than a year before the Olympic opening ceremony.

What are the Rugby World Cup Venues?

The 2023 Rugby World Cup will take place in France, spanning nine venues.

Here are some key facts about the stadiums:

Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux: Capacity of 42,115; hosts five matches including Ireland vs. Romania and Wales vs. Fiji.
- Fun Fact: Has hosted concerts by Celine Dion and Guns ‘n’ Roses.
Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille: Capacity of 50,186; hosts five matches including France vs. Uruguay and England vs. Chile.
- Fun Fact: Will also be a venue for Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
Parc Olimpique Lyonnais: Capacity of 59,186; hosts five matches including Wales vs. Australia and New Zealand vs. Italy.
- Fun Fact: Holds the French record for attendance at an ice hockey game.
Stade Velodrome, Marseille: Capacity of 67,394; hosts six matches including England vs. Argentina and South Africa vs. Scotland.
- Fun Fact: Hosted a Six Nations game in 2018.
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes: Capacity of 37,473; hosts four matches including Ireland vs. Tonga and Argentina vs. Chile.
- Fun Fact: Fiji famously beat Wales here in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Stade de Nice, Nice: Capacity of 35,169; hosts four matches including Wales vs. Portugal and England vs. Japan.
- Fun Fact: Hosted its only international rugby test match in 2019.
Stade de France, Saint-Denis: Capacity of 81,500; will host the opening and final matches among others.
- Fun Fact: One of only two stadia to have hosted both football and rugby World Cups.
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard: Capacity of 41,965; hosts four matches including Italy vs. Namibia and Australia vs. Fiji.
- Fun Fact: Oldest stadium in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Stadium de Toulouse: Capacity of 33,150; hosts five matches including Japan vs. Chile and New Zealand vs. Namibia.
- Fun Fact: Located on the island of Ramier in Toulouse.

How many teams are participating?

Twenty teams will participate in the tournament, divided into four pools of five.

Group	Teams
Pool A	New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia
Pool B	South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania
Pool C	Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia, Portugal
Pool D	England, Japan, Argentina, Samoa, Chile

How many matches will there be?

The tournament consists of 48 matches, including pool, quarter-finals, semi-finals, bronze, and grand final.

What is the format of the tournament?

The tournament begins with a pool stage, where each team plays four matches. The top two teams from each pool advance to the quarter-finals, followed by semi-finals, a bronze final for the third place, and the grand final.

Who are the past winners?

New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia are the most successful nations, each having won the tournament multiple times. England has also won once.

Each venue has unique features and will contribute to what promises to be a thrilling tournament.

Which Channels are the Rugby World Cup Today?

Rights to televise the 2023 Rugby World Cup have been granted to several broadcasters across the globe.

Here’s the lowdown on who will be broadcasting the tournament in a few major regions:

UK: ITV has successfully retained their broadcast rights, continuing their coverage from the 2019 edition.
Australia: The rights have been bagged by Nine Network and Stan Sport.
France: TF1 has secured the rights to air the tournament.
New Zealand: Sky Sport emerges victorious with the rights.
Spain: Movistar Plus+ has an exclusive right to broadcast.
Italy: RAI & Sky Sport will give you complete coverage.
Argentina: Star+ and TVP telecast the tournament.
Turkey: S Sport will telecast the RWC match.
USA: NBC, Peacock & CNBC will broadcast the entry event.

For the official broadcaster in your region, check the complete list here.

How to Watch Rugby World Cup 2023 Live Stream Online?

There are various ways to watch the online Rugby World Cup 2023 live stream. Whether it’s free or paid depends on the broadcaster in your location. In some areas, you can watch the whole tournament without any cost, such as in the UK (ITV, S4C), France (TF1), Italy (Rai), and Australia (Nine Network).

You must purchase their TV package or subscribe to their USA, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and South Africa streaming platform.

Don’t fret if you’re outside your home country or travelling; you can still access your streaming platform Using a VPN. In this case, we recommend ExpressVPN.

It came out on top after rigorous research and testing. User-friendly, fast, and compatible with nearly all devices, it boasts multiple server locations, seamless 4K content streaming, and a reassuring 30-day money-back guarantee.

How to Stream Rugby World Cup FREE in the UK?

ITV is the Official Broadcaster for UK fans. You need a free account on the ITVX streaming platform for live stream free.

It’s comfortable with lots of devices and is easy to use. The good fact is that you have to pay nothing to join ITVX. So you can watch 48 matches live and on-demand completely free of charge.

How to Live stream RWC in Australia?

Stan Sport & 9Now will give you Rugby World Cup live stream option in Australia.

Stan Sport

Stan Sport will broadcast all 48 matches in 4K UHD. To access the live streams, you’ll need a subscription to Stan Sport. If you are a die-hard fan and want to watch a full tournament without ads and a special program. Stan Sport is the only option for you. It’s available on various devices.

9Now

The Nine Network will also be streaming the matches, including the Wallabies’ games and the final, on their streaming service called 9Now. 9Now is free, but you must create an account on their website or through the 9Now app. The streaming service can be accessed on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and web browsers.

How to Stream the 2023 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand?

Sky Sport has exclusive rights to broadcast the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. If you have a Sky Sport package, you can stream the matches using Sky Sport Go. This allows you to enjoy the live stream and on-demand content.

Alternatively, you can subscribe to Sky Sport Now, which provides access to live streaming and on-demand coverage of all 48 matches of the Rugby World Cup.

By having either the Sky Sport package or subscribing to Sky Sport Now, you can enjoy the convenience of streaming the Rugby World Cup online in New Zealand.

How to Watch the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France?

In France, TF1 holds the broadcast rights for the Rugby World Cup. However, they have also entered into sublicensing agreements for 28 out of the 48 matches with M6, a commercial broadcaster, and France Télévisions, a public-service broadcaster.

You have three options to live stream the Rugby World Cup in France. The first is MYTF1, which is the online streaming service of TF1. The second option is 6play, the streaming platform of M6. The third is France TV. You can live stream its content on their official website, site Live section

Those platforms provide access to the matches based on their specific agreements. The best part is that all platforms are free so you won’t need a subscription. However, you must create a free account to access the live streams.

This means that in France, you have the wonderful opportunity to live stream all the Rugby World Cup games for free, thanks to the availability of MYTF1 and 6play.

Enjoy the matches without additional cost, and cheer for your favorite teams throughout the tournament!

How to Stream the 2023 Rugby World Cup in South Africa?

In South Africa, SuperSport is the go-to destination for streaming the Rugby World Cup. They offer various packages to cater to different preferences, including DStv for TV access and their own online streaming service called DStv Stream.

With DStv, you can watch SuperSport channels on your TV, while their streaming service allows you to stream the matches on your preferred devices. Enjoy comprehensive coverage of the Rugby World Cup through SuperSport in South Africa.

Where to watch Rugby World Cup 2023 in Ireland?

The agreement ensures that all 48 matches of the Rugby World Cup will be broadcast free to air on Irish television. Viewers can watch the matches on RTÉ television, RTÉ Player, Virgin TV, and Virgin Player.

Ireland’s matches will be shared between the broadcasters, and the Rugby World Cup Final will be broadcast simultaneously live on both RTÉ and Virgin. This provides wide accessibility for fans in Ireland to enjoy the tournament on various platforms.

Where to stream Rugby World Cup in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, Ziggo Sport & Ziggo Sport Totaal has the broadcasting rights for the Rugby World Cup. To stream the matches online, you can subscribe to Ziggo GO.

Ziggo GO is the online streaming service provided by Ziggo. By subscribing to Ziggo GO, you can access live streams of the Rugby World Cup matches. You can watch the games on your preferred devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Where to watch RWC 2023 in Japan?

You can watch the Rugby World Cup 2023 on J Sports, NHK, and Nippon TV in Japan.

J Sports will broadcast all 48 matches, NHK will show 15 matches and launch a dedicated digital portal, and Nippon TV has secured 19 games, including the quarterfinal and final. Enjoy the tournament on these channels in Japan.

How to watch Rugby World up in Southeast Asia?

Rugby fans in Southeast Asia can watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup on BeIN Sports. It will air the tournament in ten countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Laos.

All 48 games will be available on the BeIN Sports Rugby pop-up channel and streamed on the BeIN Sports Connect platform.

Besides the matches, the coverage will include player interviews, analysis, and behind-the-scenes features. BeIN Sports Rugby will begin programming on 1st September, with the World Cup starting a week later.

How to watch Rugby World Cup in Latin America?

Rugby fans in Latin America can watch the 2023 World Cup live on Star+. The broadcaster will provide coverage of all 48 Matches, including those of Los Pumas, throughout the tournament, which will be held in France starting September 8.

Viewers can enjoy the matches with the best image quality and special transmissions. Star+ will also provide in-depth analysis from specialists to give fans an enriched viewing experience.

To not miss any action, viewers are advised to schedule the matches that interest them ahead of time. So keep your remote control close by, as the world’s best rugby will reach your screen via Star+.

Whether you’re cheering for Los Pumas or any other team, Star+ is your destination for live coverage of the Rugby World Cup in Latin America.

Where to Watch Rugby World Cup live stream in Wales?

Get ready, Welsh rugby fans! S4C will cover you for all the Rugby World Cup 2023’s thrills and spills. Not only will you catch every Wales game live, but you also get to kick off the action with the opening match between France and New Zealand on September 8th.

That’s not all! Stay tuned for expert pre-tournament analysis straight from the Welsh camp. Whether you’re after the semi-finals, third-place play-offs, or the can’t-miss grand final, S4C is your go-to source.

And for those who enjoy the game best in Welsh, S4C has you covered with Welsh commentary options. Stream it all online via the S4C Clic platform and make sure you don’t miss a moment!

Where to Watch Rugby World Cup live stream in the USA?

NBC Sports holds exclusive rights to broadcast the Rugby World Cup 2023 in the USA. You can catch RWC 2023 on Peacock, CNBC, and NBC. The opening game, featuring France vs. New Zealand, is scheduled for Friday, September 8, with a kick-off at 3:15 ET on Peacock.

For die-hard fans eager to follow every moment, Peacock is the ideal choice, as it will stream all 48 World Cup matches. Meanwhile, CNBC is set to telecast 15 live matches, and NBC will broadcast replays of four games, including two quarterfinals and the final.

To access the event, you’ll need a subscription to Peacock Premium, priced at $4.99 per month or $49.99 annually. This subscription lets you view the matches and offers additional content. The good fact is that you try 7-day free trial.

For those who have cut the cord but maintain a live TV streaming service, you can still enjoy CNBC’s 15 matches and NBC’s replays. FuboTV, Sling TV (Blue), DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV all include CNBC and NBC in their lineups.

Choose the option that suits your preferences and enjoy watching the Rugby World Cup live in the USA.

How to Watch Rugby World Cup on Roku, Kodi, Smart TVs?

To watch the Rugby World Cup on Roku, Kodi, and Smart TVs:

Roku:

If you have a Roku streaming device, follow these steps:

Go to the Roku Channel Store and search for the NBC channel.
Install the NBC channel on your Roku device.
Launch the NBC channel and navigate to the live sports section or search for the Rugby World Cup 2023.
Select the match you want to watch and enjoy the live stream on your Roku device.

Kodi:

To watch the Rugby World Cup on Kodi, you must use a Kodi add-on that provides access to NBC. One popular add-on is the “USTVNow” add-on. Here’s what you can do:

Install the USTVNow add-on on your Kodi device.
Launch the USTVNow add-on and sign in to your USTVNow account (you’ll need to create one if you don’t have it).
Look for the NBC channel or search for the Rugby World Cup to find the live stream.
Select the match you want to watch and enjoy the Rugby World Cup on Kodi.

Smart TVs:

If you have a Smart TV with built-in streaming capabilities, you can access the Rugby World Cup through the respective streaming apps available on your TV. Here’s what you can do:

Open the app store on your Smart TV and search for the NBC app.
Download and install the NBC app on your Smart TV.
Launch the NBC app and navigate the live sports section or search for the Rugby World Cup.
Select the match you want to watch and enjoy the live stream on your Smart TV.
Following these steps, you can watch the Rugby World Cup on Roku, Kodi, and Smart TVs. Enjoy the tournament on your preferred streaming platforms.

Besides, you can stream Rugby World Cup matches on Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast using their streaming platform apps.

How Can I Watch the Rugby World Cup live stream free?

To watch the Rugby World Cup live stream for free, you have a few options:

Free-to-air broadcasters

Check for free-to-air broadcasters in your country with the rights to broadcast the Rugby World Cup. Look for channels like ITVX (UK), RTÉ Player (Ireland), or MYTF1 & 6play (France) that may offer free live streams on their websites or apps.

RugbyPass.TV

RugbyPass TV is a free and official streaming service from World Rugby. It offers rugby fans a platform to watch both live and on-demand content.

This includes action from major tournaments like the Rugby World Cup 2023 and the new women’s international competition, WXV. Additionally, fans can access various classic games on demand, new documentaries, live shows, and podcasts.

RugbyPass TV is available on various devices through its dedicated app and can be accessed via a browser.

You can watch selected Rugby World Cup 2023 matches live and for free on RugbyPass TV, but availability depends on your country.

All matches are available live and free in Albania, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mongolia, Myanmar, Slovakia, South Korea, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Vietnam.

You can use a VPN to get Rugby World Cup 2023 free access if you are outside of those countries.

Using Free trial periods

Take advantage of free trial periods offered by streaming services. Services like Peacock, Stan Sport, FuboTV, Hulu+Live TV, YouTube TV often provide free trials.

Sign up for a trial that aligns with the Rugby World Cup and access the live streams during that period. Remember to cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.

Free Streaming Websites

You can watch the Rugby World Cup live stream for free on certain websites without registering or signing up. Some popular free streaming websites that offer coverage of the RWC and other rugby league matches include Rugby Streams, Stream2watch, SportRAR, VIPLeague, VIProw, Buffstreams, and MamaHD.

However, we don’t recommend using these free streaming sites. Many of them aren’t safe for your device. They often have pop-up ads, video ads, and might contain malware or other harmful content. If you decide to use them anyway, consider using a VPN to hide your identity and an ad-blocker and antivirus software for added safety.

Online platforms and social media

Keep an eye on online platforms and social media channels. Official Rugby World Cup websites, sports news websites, and social media platforms like Reddit, YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter may provide free live streams or highlight packages.

Note that availability may vary based on your location and broadcasting rights. Stay updated by checking local listings and official Rugby World Cup sources for the latest information on free streaming options.

How to Listen to RWC in 2023?

One of the biggest sporting events, Rugby World Cup 2023, starts on Friday, September 8. You can listen to live coverage of all matches, including those involving home nations, on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

Access the coverage through BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website, and the app. Enjoy the excitement of the Rugby World Cup through these BBC platforms.

You can listen to the Rugby World Cup on RADIO France, EUROPE 1, SUD RADIO, RMC, RFI, and RTL in France. Fans in New Zealand can tune into iHeartRadio, NZ Herald, SENZ, Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport, The ACC, and Radio Hauraki.

Hope this guide helps you catch every moment of the Rugby World Cup 2023 without hassle.