Sky Sports and BBC agree £65m WSL broadcast deal with near full coverage

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·30 ottobre 2024

Sky Sports and BBC agree £65m WSL broadcast deal with near full coverage

Broadcasters Sky Sports and the BBC have confirmed they will continue their partnerships with the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL). The deal will see them retain the broadcasting rights for the league for five years.

The BBC will also continue to show selected games with both television and radio coverage. According to the Guardian, the rights fee is worth approximately £65 million across the five seasons.

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The new deal will see almost 90 percent of WSL matches shown live on Sky Sports from the 2025/26 season. Holding exclusive hosting rights to 78 matches, the deal marks the most significant broadcast partnership ever for women’s football in the UK and Ireland.

The BBC will show up to 21 matches per season, holding exclusive broadcasting rights for 14 games. The remainder of fixtures will be streamed on Youtube, with all 132 WSL matches available to fans. In addition to the WSL, a greater number of Championship matches will also be available to watch on Youtube.

For the first time, Sky Sports will also have the option of broadcasting the Women’s Championship. The move marks the first time the broadcaster will show second tier fixtures. Alongside the Championship, Sky Sports will also show games from the Women’s League Cup, including the final.

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“The growth of the game is undeniable”

Nikki Doucet, CEO of the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited said: “Agreeing the next cycle of broadcast rights was a priority for us and we are very fortunate to have two premium broadcast partners in Sky and the BBC who believe in the future and value of women’s football as much as we do.

“The growth of the game is undeniable, and this deal is another step in the right direction and positive news for the fans, the players and the clubs. Sky and the BBC are long-time backers and their contribution to the growth of the women’s game should not go without recognition. They provide excellent visibility coupled with first-class production values and we look forward to building on our partnership over the coming years.”