Record deal with Sky Sports announced for SWPL

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 means Sky Sports customers can continue to enjoy the biggest matches from the SPFL live every week of the season until 2029.

In addition, and for the first time, football fans will be able to watch exclusively live fixtures from the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) on Sky Sports from this season. 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, more than ever before, 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 2024/25 – 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
• The latest Scottish football news across skysports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage and in game clips from games live on Sky Sports
• Free-to-watch highlights of every Scottish Premiership game on Sky Sports’ digital platforms, YouTube, Sky Q and Sky Glass
• Alongside coverage and visibility for the SPFL across all Sky Sports’ main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @ScotlandSky will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports
• Dedicated weekly highlights show on Sky Sports Football

In addition, the only 24-hour sports news channel in the UK – Sky Sports News – will continue to bring viewers the latest news, exclusive interviews, results and best stories from all the teams in both Leagues, making Sky Sports the destination for fans of Scottish football.

Stephen van Rooyen, Sky’s EVP and CEO UK and Europe said: “Every time we extend our partnership with the Scottish Professional Football League, more football fans are watching. With this latest extension of our long running partnership, Sky Sports customers will continue to be treated to the biggest games and even more live matches. For the first time they will also have access to Scottish Women’s Premier League matches as well, as we look to continue to bring the best football to an even wider audience.”

Scottish Professional Football League CEO 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 £50million per season – but this is an important and significant first step towards that target. Sky has an unparalleled track record of capturing the spectacle and passion of our sport and this partnership will bring Scottish football’s action-packed drama to an even wider audience.”

SWPL Managing Director, Fiona McIntyre said: “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. I’m delighted that Sky Sports recognise the value and potential of the SWPL and will be a key partner for us as we enter into this new era.

“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.”

Sky Sports is the home of domestic football in the UK and Ireland, with more than 400 games per season across the SPFL, Premier League, WSL, and EFL.