Sky and Stuff set to bring fans closer to the action in Rugby World Cup partnership - Sky
Sky, the local rights holder for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, and Stuff are teaming up once again to bring fans closer to the action during the seven-week tournament.
The two organisations first came together to launch an innovative cross-channel offering dedicated to FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™. The bespoke multi-media hub developed for the Women’s World Cup partnership features the latest on- and off-field tournament news as well as 26 live-streamed games and other interactive features.
“Sky and Stuff Digital have built a unique relationship forged through collaboration on the FIFA Women’s World Cup™,” says Stuff Chief Executive Laura Maxwell.
“Together we reach 69% or 2.9 million Kiwis a month, so this is a powerful partnership that is going to deliver value for Stuff, Sky, our partners and audiences,” says Maxwell.
Sky Chief Executive Sophie Moloney says the Sky team is excited to bring the best of world rugby to Kiwi fans.
“Sky customers will have access to all 48 Rugby World Cup 2023 matches live on Sky Sport and Sky Sport Now, and our partnership with Stuff is a brilliant way to increase access and engagement for fans across the country during the tournament.
“We want to make it easy for as many New Zealanders as possible to view premium matches including the semi-final and final by enabling them to be broadcast live and free-to-air on Prime and also live-streamed as ‘Sunday Sessions’ on the Stuff Rugby World Cup hub. Prime will show 12 live and delayed matches across the tournament.” says Moloney.
In addition to the live-streamed matches, the hub will be a one-stop shop for fans featuring 24/7 tournament news, commentary from Stuff and Sky experts, as well as a bespoke, premium environment for sponsors and advertising partners. Advertising packages will be available shortly and interested brands will need to act quickly to ensure they secure prime position.
The Rugby World Cup hub is live on Stuff today, while Sky’s award-winning in-house production team is well underway developing dedicated shows and stories to highlight the tournament and engage New Zealand’s rugby fandom.
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About Rugby World Cup 2023
Rugby World Cup 2023 will take place in France from 8 September-28 October with matches played in nine venues across 10 host cities. The tournament will be the 10th men’s Rugby World Cup and the second to be hosted by France after a memorable event in 2007.
RWC 2023 will take place in a year when the sport celebrates 200 years since Rugby School pupil William Webb Ellis was credited with inventing the game of rugby football by showing “a fine disregard for the rules” in catching the ball and running with it in 1823.
RWC 2023 will set new standards in social responsibility, inclusion and sustainability for a major rugby event, targeting four key pillars for the tournament’s legacy: acting for sustainability and circular economy, supporting education, training and employment, respecting and protecting the environment and promoting inclusivity by being a champion for gender equality.
The showpiece event in men’s 15s, Rugby World Cup 2023 will feature 20 teams with 48 matches played across 51 days.