SWPL announces extension of BBC ALBA and BBC Scotland partnerships and confirms first broadcast matches for 2025/26 season

The Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) is delighted to announce the extension of broadcast partnerships with both BBC ALBA, with funding from partner MG ALBA, and BBC Scotland until the end of the 2027/28 season.  The new three-year agreements will deliver a minimum of 26 live SWPL matches per season on BBC ALBA, as well as a minimum of one live SWPL 2 match per season for the first time ever. In addition, BBC Sport Scotland will continue to deliver live matches via the iPlayer, as well as the increasingly popular weekly highlights show broadcast on BBC Scotland on a Monday evening, rounding up the previous weekend’s action. With the number of viewers tuning into SWPL action across all channels surpassing 2.3 million last season, the new agreement ensures supporters will be able to watch the best of the SWPL action for seasons to come.

As we approach the 2025/26 Season kick off on 17 August, the SWPL can confirm the initial ScottishPower Women’s Premier League matches selected for broadcast between rounds one and three in August. The games selected across BBC ALBA, and BBC Sport Scotland are as follows:

Four matches have been selected to open the 2025/26 season, and as previous seasons have illustrated, every point will matter as clubs across the league aim to kickstart their season.

BBC ALBA have selected a total of two games across the opening three rounds, starting with last season’s champions Hibernian at home to Aberdeen. Grant Scott’s history makers will be hoping to continue their strong run of form against the Dons, having won all three meetings between the two sides last season in all competitions. Meanwhile, Scott Booth’s side will be hoping to put down an early marker in their quest to make the top six this season, having narrowly missed out in recent years.

BBC ALBA will also broadcast Rangers v Hearts the following Sunday. Rangers agonisingly missed out on the title and a UEFA Women’s Champions League spot at the final hurdle last season. They will be hoping for a strong start and to reclaim the title for the first time since 2022, following the departure of former manager Jo Potter. Hearts, facing both sides of the Old Firm in the opening two weekends, will be hoping to make an early statement of intent in their own hunt for a first SWPL title, having established themselves as strong contenders in recent seasons.

BBC Sport Scotland return this season with two confirmed live streams and their highlights show every Monday for weekend fixture rounds. This includes showing the compelling opening day clash between last season’s 5^th and 4^th placed sides, Hearts and Celtic, as well as Rangers v Motherwell on Sunday, 31^st August in another meeting between two teams who finished in last season’s top six.

Fiona McIntyre, SWPL Managing Director, said: “With nearly two and a half million people tuning into watch the SWPL last season across all channels, we are delighted to announce the renewal of our partnerships with BBC ALBA and BBC Scotland. Both have been excellent partners of the women’s game in Scotland for a number of years now, and we are delighted that fans of the SWPL will continue to be able to follow the best of the league action for the next three years.

“Season 2025/26 will also see the introduction our new competition format, which we expect will only add to the drama and excitement the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League has become synonymous with in recent years.

“We look forward to working with Sky Sports, BBC ALBA, and BBC Scotland again this season as we aim to engage new audiences to add to the incredible viewership from last season.”

Fiona Mackenzie, BBC ALBA Sport Executive Producer, said: “MG ALBA is thrilled to renew its partnership with the SWPL. This new deal reaffirms our strong commitment to showcasing the very best of women’s football in Scotland and ensuring the continued visibility and growth of the game. Women’s football in Scotland has gone from strength to strength, and we’re proud to play a part in bringing its excitement, talent and passion to audiences across the country on BBC ALBA.”

Louise Thornton, BBC Scotland Head of Commissioning, said: “The BBC is proud to continue its commitment to the Scottish Women’s Premier League by delivering comprehensive coverage of the upcoming season, including live matches and weekly highlights. We look forward to showcasing the skill, passion, and growing excitement surrounding women’s football in Scotland, and to bring these moments to audiences across the country.”