Rugby Canada and CBC Sports announce two-year extension of partnership

April 5, 2022 (Langford, BC) – Rugby Canada and CBC Sports today announced a milestone extension to their partnership agreement that ensures Canada’s Olympic Network will remain the home of international rugby sevens in Canada for the next two years.

The extension includes the broadcast rights for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 (September 9-11) and the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, for which CBC Sports has already showcased comprehensive coverage of the Dubai and Spain events in 2021-22.

As part of the agreement, which has been in place since December 2017, CBC Sports will deliver multi-platform live streaming coverage of rugby sevens in Canada via the free CBC Gem streaming service, cbcsports.ca and the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, as well as select broadcast coverage on CBC TV.

CBC Sports’ extensive coverage across CBC platforms includes this weekend’s Singapore Sevens (April 9-10) before Canada’s Men’s Sevens team makes its much-anticipated homecoming for the HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver (April 16-17), followed by Canada’s Women’s Sevens team’s return for the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens in Langford (April 30-May 1). Tickets for both events can be purchased here. CBC Sports’ upcoming broadcast and streaming schedule can be found here.

“Canada has a strong tradition in international rugby and we look forward to further amplifying the exciting sport of rugby sevens through the extension of our partnership with Rugby Canada,” said Chris Wilson, Executive Director, Sports and Olympics, CBC. “Looking ahead to Paris 2024, CBC Sports will ensure that Canadians are able to follow and celebrate the journey of our country’s rugby sevens teams in their pursuit of the podium.”

“CBC Sports has provided exceptional coverage and exposure for the sevens game in Canada for a number of years, and we are thrilled to have them continue as a broadcast partner for the next two years,” commented Gareth Rees, Director, Commercial Partnerships and Broadcast, Rugby Canada. “This agreement will allow us to continue making world-class rugby sevens action available to all fans across Canada via CBC’s accessible broadcast and online channels.”

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens consists of men’s and women’s tournaments held around the world featuring national teams. At the end of each season an overall champion is crowned based on the points earned at each of the tournaments.

The Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in South Africa will be the eighth edition of the event and the fourth to include both men’s and women’s teams. Canada’s Women’s and Men’s Sevens teams will play at the 2022 RAN Sevens Qualifiers (April 23-24) for a chance to secure their places in South Africa.

About Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.

Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, residing on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Lekwungen/Songhees peoples, with staff also working from Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Canada Sevens annual tournaments.

About CBC Sports
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's Olympic Network and Canada's Paralympic Network through 2024. The national public broadcaster is committed to showcasing Canadian and international athletes and sports across all platforms under the CBC Sports and Hockey Night in Canada brands, including on television, online at cbcsports.ca and via the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices. CBC Sports prides itself on telling the story of the high-performance athlete's journey every step of the way, ensuring Canadians always know the people who represent them before they see them atop the podium.

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