Sky Sports will broadcast more Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) matches than ever before, under a new agreement with the league.
The four-year extension to the current deal will also include, for the first time, live fixtures from the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL). The broadcaster will become an official partner of the SWPL and the title sponsor of the SWPL League Cup for the next seven seasons.
The new broadcast agreements include:
- Up to 60 SPFL matches exclusively live each season from 2024/25, with scope to increase this over the term of the deal.
- Broadcasting live from each cinch Premiership ground up to five occasions each season from 24/25 - one more than in the current deal.
- A minimum of five SWPL or League Cup matches exclusively live each season from 2022/23, with scope to increase further during the term.
- All cinch Premiership clubs being able to sell Pay Per View streams within the UK and Ireland of up to five league home games per season, with immediate effect, subject to certain conditions including no matches during blocked hours.
- Free-to-watch highlights of every Scottish Premiership game on Sky Sports’ digital platforms, YouTube, Sky Q and Sky Glass.
- A dedicated weekly highlights show on Sky Sports Football.
Stephen van Rooyen, Sky’s executive vice president and chief executive for the UK and Europe, said: “Every time we extend our partnership with the Scottish Professional Football League, more football fans are watching.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “This is a very significant financial and promotional deal for the SPFL and I’m delighted our clubs have overwhelmingly supported deepening their relationship with the UK’s leading sports broadcaster.
“Today’s announcement represents a major financial boost for our 42 member clubs at a time when the UK economy is facing significant headwinds, and will increase the exposure of Europe’s most exciting and passionate league.
“We have much work to do to achieve our target of paying fees to member clubs of £50m per season – but this is an important and significant first step towards that target.”
SWPL managing director Fiona McIntyre added: “This is an historic moment for the SWPL and an enormous step forward for the women’s game in Scotland.
“This deal brings significant financial investment to the new leagues and enhances the visibility of the SWPL at this crucial time for the game.
“Our clubs have invested considerable resources and we can now see the rewards of that work, with increasing commercial interest - this deal will allow clubs to invest further and will put the SWPL on the map as one of the most progressive women’s leagues in the world.”
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