A new deal which will see Channel 4 broadcast England matches in the future was announced today (Friday), meaning that matches will return to free-to-air TV. The deal includes UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers and friendlies.
For the first time in 2018, England games began being broadcast outside of terrestrial television with the Nations League coverage on Sky Sports, but now these games will come over to Channel 4 as part of the new two-year deal which runs until 2024.
Channel 4 will broadcast 20 England games in that time, with Nations League fixtures against Germany and current European Champions Italy first up this summer, with all 10 of England's Euro 2024 qualifiers following on the platform next year.
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The World Cup will still be broadcast on BBC and ITV but the key factor in the new deal is that all games will be available for free. Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon said: “As a life-long committed football fan I am personally so delighted that we have these matches on the channel which further reinforce our reputation as a top quality sport broadcaster, having been named Sports Network of the Year at this year’s British Sports Journalism Awards.”
The coverage will begin with Hungary vs England in the opening UEFA Nations League fixture on June 4th before live coverage of Germany vs England on June 7th.
Channel 4’s Head of Sport Pete Andrews said: “England matches against Germany are always an exciting prospect and I’m sure the team will be keen to set the record straight against Italy after the defeat in the final of the UEFA EURO. We’re absolutely delighted to have secured this deal with UEFA and I’m sure England fans will be looking forward to the summer with great anticipation.”
England’s UEFA Nations League matches to be shown live on Channel 4 are:
4 th June - Hungary vs England
7 th June - Germany vs England
11 th June – England vs Italy
14 th June – England vs Hungary
23 rd September – Italy vs England
26 th September – England vs Germany.
Euro 2024 qualifiers will be scheduled after the completion of the Nations League, with the draw scheduled on October 9, 2022.
