The Georgian Public Broadcaster First Channel will exclusively air matches from the Rugby World Cup 2023, hosted by France.

“The GPB First Channel will exclusively broadcast the 2023 Rugby World Cup, both on television and the new BVOD (Broadcaster Video on Demand) platform. Our audience has a sports-filled summer ahead. The GPB First Channel is currently showcasing the Rugby Women’s World Cup, a significant event for the advancement of women’s sports.

Additionally, the audience will watch a friendly match featuring the Georgian national basketball team. From August 25, GPB will host the 2023 World Basketball Championship, followed by the Rugby World Cup in September. GPB will show the qualifying matches of the 2024 European Championship in football in September as well,” stated GPB Director General Tinatin Berdzenishvili.

The tenth Rugby World Cup will take place from September 8 to October 28 in nine cities across France. The Stade de France in Paris will host the opening and final matches of the tournament.

“We are delighted to be welcoming GPB First Channel to the Rugby World Cup 2023 broadcast partner family. We know that Georgians are passionate about Rugby, The Lelos and Rugby World Cup and by airing the matches on the nation’s major free-to-air platform gives us an unprecedented opportunity to inspire a new generation of boys and girls to get into rugby,” World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont stated.

Georgia’s rugby team secured its place in the tournament based on its performance in the qualifying period. The team won the Rugby Europe Championships in 2021 and 2022.