The BBC has landed a major coup in securing the rights to broadcast Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland's international football matches until 2028. This bumper deal means that fans across these devolved nations will be treated to a thrilling array of live fixtures on BBC platforms, without having to break out their wallets.
The agreement encompasses around 60 live matches over the next two years, with some of the biggest and best games on offer including this autumn's Nations League clashes and the Euro 2028 qualifying rounds. Every single match will be broadcast in glorious HD across BBC television, iPlayer, and Sounds – ensuring that no fan gets left out.
It was only last year when the BBC first secured full live rights for all three nations' international football, but it's clear they've been making waves since then. Take Scotland's World Cup qualifying triumph over Denmark, for instance: a whopping 1.1 million viewers in Scotland tuned in to witness that pulsating victory – and that was on top of the UK-wide average of 2.7 million.
Wales' play-off semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina also drew a massive crowd, with 1.71 million viewers watching across the country, while Northern Ireland's qualifying encounter against Germany attracted an impressive 1.11 million UK-wide.
Rhuanedd Richards, interim director of BBC Nations, was quick to highlight the community-building power of these fixtures: "They deliver some of the biggest shared moments in our sporting calendar," he noted – sentiments echoed by Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC Director of Sport: "International football unites communities, sparks national pride, and generates massive audiences across all platforms."
And what a time to be extending these rights, with the UK and Republic of Ireland set to co-host Euro 2028! All matches from this major tournament – held across nine stadiums in the host nations – will be broadcast live on BBC platforms, giving British viewers comprehensive coverage they won't want to miss.
This continued commitment to free-to-air broadcasting is a masterstroke, allowing fans from all walks of life to follow their national teams without breaking the bank. It's a recipe for success, and one that's sure to create an electric atmosphere around major sporting events – bringing people together in a shared experience they'll never forget.