Does Netflix Show Rugby? Here’s What’s Actually Available in 2025

If you’re wondering whether Netflix shows rugby, the short answer is: not really. Netflix doesn’t have a dedicated rugby channel or regular live matches like Sky Sports or ESPN. But that doesn’t mean you can’t watch rugby on Netflix at all. It depends on what kind of rugby content you’re after - live games, documentaries, or behind-the-scenes series.

Netflix doesn’t stream live rugby matches

Netflix isn’t a sports broadcaster. It doesn’t hold rights to show live rugby fixtures from the Six Nations, Rugby Championship, or Premiership Rugby. If you’re looking to catch a live game between England and Wales or the All Blacks vs. South Africa, you won’t find it on Netflix. Those rights belong to traditional sports networks like ITV in the UK, FloRugby in the US, or beIN SPORTS in other regions.

Live rugby requires expensive broadcast deals, and Netflix’s business model focuses on original content, not real-time sports. Even when Netflix has partnered with sports leagues - like the NBA or Formula 1 - it’s for exclusive documentaries or highlights, not live action.

What rugby content is on Netflix?

While you won’t find live matches, Netflix does have a solid collection of rugby-related documentaries and scripted series. These aren’t just filler content - they’re high-quality productions that give you a deep look into the sport’s culture, drama, and history.

One standout is Inside Rugby, a documentary series that follows top clubs and international teams through their training, matches, and locker room conversations. It’s not just about the tackles - it shows how players cope with injury, pressure, and retirement. The series features footage from the 2023 Rugby World Cup and exclusive interviews with coaches like Warren Gatland and Steve Borthwick.

Another popular title is The Last Game, a 2024 documentary about the final match of legendary New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter. It’s not just about his last kick - it’s about legacy, family, and what happens when a legend walks away. The film includes never-before-seen training clips from his final season with the Crusaders.

If you prefer drama over documentary, Red & Black (2023) is a fictional series based on the real-life rise of a Welsh regional team. It’s not a true story, but it nails the atmosphere of Welsh rugby culture - the terraces, the pubs, the local pride. The show even filmed on location at the Principality Stadium and used real club players as extras.

Why Netflix doesn’t need live rugby

Netflix doesn’t need to stream live rugby because it doesn’t have to. Its subscribers don’t sign up for sports - they sign up for stories. Rugby fans on Netflix aren’t looking for match schedules. They’re looking for emotional arcs, human struggles, and cultural insight.

Compare this to services like DAZN or Viaplay, which built their entire business around live sports. Netflix’s strategy is different: it uses sports as a lens to tell universal stories. That’s why Red & Black has more viewers than most live rugby broadcasts in the UK. People aren’t watching because they want to see who scored a try - they’re watching because they care about the coach who lost his son, the teenager who quit school to play, or the retired player who now runs a youth program.

Where to watch live rugby in 2025

If you want to watch live rugby fixtures this season, here’s where to look:

• UK: ITV and Premier Sports carry most domestic and international matches.
• USA: FloRugby and NBC Sports offer live coverage of Super Rugby, Six Nations, and test matches.
• Australia and New Zealand: Stan Sport and Sky Sport NZ are your go-to channels.
• Europe: beIN SPORTS and RugbyPass TV cover most major tournaments.

Many of these services offer free trials - often 7 to 14 days - so you can watch a big match without committing to a subscription.

What’s coming to Netflix in 2025

Netflix has confirmed two new rugby projects set to drop in early 2025:

• Behind the Boot: Women’s Rugby - a 6-part series following the England, New Zealand, and South Africa women’s teams through their 2025 World Cup campaign.
• From the Ground Up - a documentary about grassroots rugby in rural South Africa, focusing on how the sport helps reduce youth violence and dropout rates.

Neither will show live games, but both promise deeper access than any broadcast network has ever given. The production team spent over a year embedded with teams, even filming in remote villages where rugby is the only organized sport.

Should you cancel your sports subscription for Netflix?

No - unless you’re only interested in the stories behind the sport. If you’re the kind of fan who checks the fixture list every week, knows every player’s stats, and can’t miss a scrum, then Netflix won’t replace your sports package.

But if you love rugby as more than a game - if you care about the people, the communities, the history - then Netflix gives you something no live stream can: context. You’ll understand why a Welsh village turns out for a Saturday match. Why a Samoan player cries after scoring a try. Why a coach in Fiji says rugby saved his life.

Netflix doesn’t show rugby matches. But it shows why rugby matters.

How to find rugby on Netflix

Netflix doesn’t have a dedicated rugby category, so finding content takes a little digging. Here’s how:

1. Search for “rugby documentary” or “rugby series” in the search bar.
2. Use the “Sports & Fitness” category under “Genres” - it’s hidden under the More menu.
3. Check the “Trending Now” section - rugby docs often pop up after big tournaments.
4. Look for titles with “Rugby” in the description - avoid shows that just have “sports” in the title.

Pro tip: If you’re in the UK, change your region to Australia or New Zealand in your Netflix settings. You’ll get access to more rugby content, including local documentaries not available in other regions.

Is Netflix worth it for rugby fans?

For die-hard fans who want live scores and instant replays? No. Netflix isn’t your solution.

For fans who want to understand why rugby grips entire nations? Absolutely. It’s the only platform that gives you the full picture - the blood, sweat, and soul behind every match.

Think of it this way: You don’t watch Moneyball to see baseball scores. You watch it to understand how a game can change lives. Netflix’s rugby content works the same way.