SWPL announces first set of broadcast matches post-split | OneFootball

Malcolm Mackenzie/SWPL

The SWPL has announced the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League matches selected for broadcast between rounds 23 and 29.

The games selected across Sky Sports, BBC ALBA, and BBC Sport Scotland are as follows:

*Fixtures subject to change

With 16 games selected, this means a total of 60 matches will have been broadcast across the 2023/24 season so far and on track to surpass last season’s record total of 64.

Sky Sports will first broadcast the Sky Sports Cup Final on Sunday 24th March as Rangers and Partick Thistle go head-to-head at Tynecastle Park. They will also show Rangers against Glasgow City on Sunday 14th April and Rangers at home to Celtic on Monday 6th May. With the top three sides separated by just four points going into the split, the matches between the sides could be vital in the battle for the title.

BBC ALBA have selected a total of nine games starting with Celtic v Rangers on the opening Sunday post-split. League leaders Rangers will hope to maintain their unbeaten run while Celtic could close the gap to just a point with victory.

BBC ALBA will also show two sets of matches back-to-back as the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League nears its conclusion. On Sunday 31st March, Partick Thistle face Heart of Midlothian at 12.10pm followed by Glasgow City against Celtic at 4.10pm. They also have an exciting midweek card on Wednesday 1st May as Celtic host Glasgow City at 6.15pm and shortly after it’s Rangers facing Heart of Midlothian at 8.15pm.

BBC Sport Scotland will live stream a total of four matches, starting with Heart of Midlothian at home to Glasgow City. The Edinburgh side are three points clear of Hibernian in the battle for 4th place and will be hoping to take more points of City after their 0-0 draw at Oriam earlier in the season. Their final selection features a bottom six tie between Montrose and Motherwell on Sunday 5th May. With Montrose just three points above the relegation zone, a positive result could go a long way to securing their top flight status.

On top of the broadcast matches, the SWPL will also be running their ‘Every Game Matters’ campaign to celebrate the split. With a primary focus on the bottom six sides, the SWPL will take fans across Scotland to showcase the matchday experience and to remind everyone exactly why every game is so important at this stage in the season.

Fiona McIntyre, SWPL Managing Director, said: “Following the announcement of the post-split fixtures, we are pleased to confirm the matches which will be broadcast live over the coming weeks and months up to matchday 29. We are on track to surpass the number of games shown last season and that is a testament to the commitment of our broadcast partners and the increasing interest in the SWPL and the closing stages of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League season.

“Visibility remains of vital importance and today’s announcement ensures that at least one match per round is broadcast on top of the weekly highlights show on BBC Scotland. We will also be launching ‘Every Game Matters’ to bring fans closer to the action, particularly in the bottom six as the battle to avoid relegation intensifies.

“Attendances and viewing figures are at record levels for the elite women’s game in Scotland. I encourage fans and those that have never attended or tuned in before to get involved as we reach the finale of a fascinating and fantastic season to date.”

Gary Hughes, Director of Football, Sky Sports, said: “After the success of last year’s final, which had a record attendance, it’s brilliant to be hosting the Sky Sports Final back at Tynecastle Park for a second year running. Eilidh Barbour will be on hand to bring fans closer to the action and the coverage will serve as part of a bumper Sunday for our Women’s Football Weekend.

“There’s also the title race, which could come down to the final day. To be showing big games like Rangers v Celtic on Sky during the run-in is fantastic and we hope it delivers the drama and excitement of last season.”

Fiona Mackenzie, BBC ALBA Sport Executive Producer, said: “We at BBC ALBA are delighted to be carrying as many games as possible to bring us to the end of the season, and look forward to a jam-packed few weeks with the inclusion of double-header matches. Continued growth of attendance and viewership has been really encouraging and we take pride in our commitment and support of the women’s game.”

Douglas McNeil, BBC Sport Producer, said: “It’s been a fantastic season so far. We are looking forward to showing what’s sure to be an exciting end to the SWPL season at the top and bottom of the league on our live stream matches and Sportscene highlights programme.”

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