Wednesday 01 July 2026 11:00 am | Updated: Tuesday 30 June 2026 2:14 pm Nations Championship: Monzo makes first move into rugby, with Allianz and ITV By: Matt Hardy Deputy Sports Editor - City AM Share Facebook Share on Facebook X Share on Twitter LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn WhatsApp Share on WhatsApp Email Share on Email Add as a preferred source on Google Monzo have broadened its portfolio going into rugby with Allianz and ITV Monzo have broadened its sponsorship portfolio, joining Allianz in sponsoring ITV’s coverage of rugby union’s Nations Championship competition. The challenger bank and insurance giant have each signed deals with the free-to-air broadcaster to be part of the channel’s coverage of the inaugural inter-hemispheric tournament. It is Monzo’s first step into rugby union and comes after they signed a deal to partner with The Hundred. Rugby chiefs have combined the traditional summer tours – where European nations tour overseas – and the autumn internationals – where the reverse takes place in the north – to form the Nations Championship, with a finals weekend at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium at the end of November. And following on from reports that Qatar Airways decided to put their £80m sponsorship of the competition on ice over the ongoing conflict in Iran, ITV has managed to secure broadcast backing from both Allianz and Monzo. News Updates Stay ahead with our three daily briefings delivering all the key market moves, top business and political stories, and incisive analysis straight to your inbox. Banking on the Nations Championship But the two organisations’ respective adverts will not be shown in-game after ITV chose to ditch the adverts they trialled during the Six Nations earlier this year. Bhavit Chandrani, director of BE Studio, said: “With over 50 matches in 2026, including all of England’s matches, ITV is offering free-to-air rugby throughout the year. “We’re delighted to welcome Allianz and Monzo as our inaugural coverage sponsors for the brand new, and exciting, Nations Championship tournament.” While the agreement is 50-50 between Monzo and Allianz, the German firm will fork out an additional cost to sponsor a new rugby analysis show – “The Debrief with Dan and ROG” – which will be hosted by former Welsh international Dan Biggar and La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara. Allianz chief Colm Holmes said that the deal will “help bring the excitement and spirit of rugby to even more people”, while Monzo’s Charlotte Ford stated that “stepping into rugby for the very first time is a big milestone for Monzo, and we’re delighted to partner with ITV and Allianz for the historic debut of the Nations Championship 2026”. Read more Ticket price hikes proof Wales Rugby Union is tone deaf to loyal fan concerns Share this article Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Similarly tagged content: Sections Sport News Categories Sport Business Business Rugby Union Rugby Sport People & Organisations allianz monzo Nations Championship Rugby Rugby Nations Championship Rugby Union Related Topics Rugby business Rugby Union Trending Articles Pensioners to hand over bank statements in government benefits crackdown Jaguar reveals the Type 01’s screen-free interior Jamie Carragher: HMRC petitions for Sky Sports star to be declared bankrupt City firms mandate phone and face-to-face comms bootcamps for Gen Z lawyers Jamie Vardy bags Bundesliga rights as he steps up streaming war with Neville and Lineker More from City AM Ticket price hikes proof Wales Rugby Union is tone deaf to loyal fan concerns Sport Business Exclusive: Twickenham residents branded anti-fun NIMBYs in rugby stadium row Sport Business How sevens and Olympics can be commercial rugby lifeline Sport Business Prem Rugby team ditch Big Game fixture at Premier League ground Sport Business London City 7s sign up Springbok-producing powerhouse varsity team Sport Business London being lined up to host re-run of GAA final between Mayo and Kerry Sport Business Exclusive: Rugby League monitoring Henry Pollock amid £1m Hearn wage demands Sport Business Champions Cup rugby team hacked in ransom attack with player data at risk Sport Business Subscribe Subscribe to the City AM newsletter to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe By signing up to our newsletters you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .
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