Autumn Nations Series 2026: Where to Watch
The short answer
The Autumn Nations Series runs across November, with UK coverage split between free-to-air broadcasters and pay television depending on the fixture and the home union. England's home matches and the other home nations' fixtures are not all on the same channel, which is the recurring frustration.
November rugby is one of the better months in the British sporting calendar and one of the more confusing to follow on television. Each home union negotiates its own broadcast arrangements, so a single weekend can put four fixtures on three different channels.
This post sets out how the picture works, so you know what you need before the first weekend.
Key takeaways
- November internationals are split across several broadcasters in the UK
- Coverage differs by home union — Scotland, Wales and Ireland sell separately from England
- Southern hemisphere touring sides bring their own broadcast arrangements
- Six Nations in February is a separate rights deal again
- International feeds carry fixtures with home-nation commentary
Why the coverage is split
Unlike the Six Nations, which is sold as one package, autumn internationals are arranged largely by the host union. England's matches at Twickenham, Scotland's at Murrayfield, Wales's at the Principality and Ireland's at the Aviva are each part of separate deals.
That means a supporter who follows more than one home nation — very common in Britain — can find the same weekend spread across free-to-air and pay television simultaneously.
What to expect in November
- England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland each hosting southern hemisphere sides
- Fixtures typically on Saturday afternoons and early evenings
- Some matches free-to-air, others behind a subscription depending on the union
- Touring sides' own broadcasters carrying the same matches with different commentary
- Warm-up and midweek fixtures often only on international feeds
Looking ahead to the Six Nations
The Six Nations returns in February 2027 and remains one of the last major British sporting events largely protected on free-to-air television, shared between the BBC and ITV.
It is worth noting that as a viewer you need very little for the Six Nations itself — a TV Licence and an aerial covers it. The autumn series, Premiership Rugby and the Champions Cup are where the paid coverage sits.
We would rather tell you that a competition is free-to-air than imply you need us for it. Our rugby coverage earns its place on the club competitions and the touring fixtures, not on the Six Nations.
Frequently asked
Are the autumn internationals free to air?
Is the Six Nations free to watch?
Where can I watch Premiership Rugby?
Do you carry southern hemisphere rugby?
Broadcast rights, fixtures and prices change. This page was last checked on 10 August 2026 — tell us on WhatsApp if you spot something out of date and we will correct it.