How to watch the 2026 PREM Rugby final: Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs
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The 2026 PREM Rugby final featured Northampton Saints facing Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham Stadium. The match marked the culmination of the 2025-26 Gallagher Premiership season, deciding who would be crowned champions of England. The final was held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, with kick-off at 3:00 PM BST.
Northampton Saints entered the final after a strong season, finishing at the top of the league table. As the reigning champions from 2024, they aimed to secure another title. Having demonstrated an exciting style of play throughout the season, they reached the final by besting Leicester Tigers in the semi-finals, maintaining their starting XV unchanged from that match. They welcomed the return of scrum-half Alex Mitchell to the bench, providing depth to their lineup.
Exeter Chiefs, meanwhile, had a more challenging path to the final. Under Coach Rob Baxter, their journey to the finals included a last-minute victory over Saracens that allowed them to secure a playoff spot. They faced reigning champions Bath in the semi-finals, overcoming a 16-point deficit to win by a single point. Despite being third in the table, they were seen as a formidable opponent, eager to claim their first title since 2020. Exeter made two substitutions in their starting XV, notably replacing Christ Tshiunza with Ethan Roots. Additionally, winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was confirmed fit to play, further strengthening their side.
Viewers were given multiple options for watching the final, with numerous live streams available. In the UK, fans could watch the match for free on ITVX and ITV4, with pre-match coverage starting at 2:30 PM BST. Fans in France could also tune in for free via Janusport's Twitch and YouTube channels. International viewers had other options as well: TNT Sports showed the match in the UK; FloRugby broadcast it in the US; Stan Sport aired it in Australia; and in New Zealand, Sky Sport NZ offered coverage.
For those traveling abroad, a VPN could be used to access domestic streaming services. Tech experts recommended NordVPN for its capability to bypass geo-restrictions and ensure secure connections while streaming.
Overall, the final not only set the stage for fierce competition between two talented teams but also highlighted the accessibility of rugby for fans globally.
Source: rugbyworld.com.
