Rugby, Nations Championship, and Inclusion: Audio Description Service for the Azzurri’s Home Games
Italian rugby is taking another step forward in terms of inclusion. The Italian Rugby Federation has announced the launch of an audio description service for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have visual disabilities during home games of the 2026 Nations Championship. The initiative will allow fans to follow the Azzurri’s matches both at the stadium and from home, through a commentary system designed to convey every aspect of the event, from the on-field action to the atmosphere in the stands.
During this new international competition—which features the world’s top twelve national teams and saw its Southern Hemisphere and Japan legs take place this summer— Italy will face reigning world champion South Africa on November 7 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Argentina on November 14 at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, and Fiji on November 21 at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine.
The project builds on the experience gained during the Six Nations, a tournament where the service has been successfully introduced in recent years. The audio description is provided through “Connect Me Too,” a system developed by CMT Translations that allows viewers to follow the game thanks to a highly descriptive commentary delivered by specially trained professionals. The commentary goes beyond simply describing what happens when the ball is in the players’ hands; it also includes the crowd’s reactions, what’s happening on the benches, and other visual details.
“Making rugby increasingly accessible means ensuring that everyone can fully enjoy the experience this sport has to offer,” said Leonardo Ghiraldini, Federal Councilor responsible for Social Responsibility. “The introduction of audio description for Nations Championship matches represents a concrete step in this direction and stems from the desire to extend the opportunity for an ever-growing number of people to feel part of the event, whether at the stadium or at home.”
Tony D’Angelo, project manager for “Connect Me Too” at CMT Translations, also expressed his satisfaction: “Following the Six Nations, bringing this service to the first edition of the Nations Championship represents an important milestone for us. It means seeing audio description become an increasingly regular feature at major sporting events—not as an ancillary service, but as an integral part of the experience offered to the public.”
“Connect Me Too” is now a well-established presence in the world of sports accessibility. In addition to rugby, the system is used in soccer, basketball, and various winter sports, and is also finding its place in cultural contexts such as theater. The goal remains to break down barriers and allow an ever-growing number of people to experience the thrills of sports without limitations.
