Channel 4 win the rights to show England's Nations League games, Euro 2024 qualifiers and friendlies

Channel 4 win the rights to show England’s Nations League fixtures, Euro 2024 qualifiers and international friendlies… with a total of TWENTY Three Lions matches to be shown live on free-to-air television

  • Channel 4 has won the rights for England’s Nations League fixtures this summer
  • The terrestrial broadcaster will also show Euro 2024 qualifiers and friendlies
  • The deal does not cover the rights to matches at this year’s World Cup in Qatar

Channel 4 have won the rights to show England’s Nations League fixtures, Euro 2024 qualifiers and international friendlies.

Beginning with this summer’s Nations League fixtures against Germany, Italy and Hungary, the terrestrial broadcaster will host 20 live England matches between 2022 to 2024.

Sportsmail revealed last week that Channel 4’s unlikely bid to feature live coverage of the Three Lions for the first time had succeeded. 

Channel 4 have won the rights to show England's Nations League fixtures this summer

Channel 4 have won the rights to show England’s Nations League fixtures this summer

A total of 20 Three Lions matches will be shown on free-to-air television in the next two years

A total of 20 Three Lions matches will be shown on free-to-air television in the next two years

ENGLAND’S NATIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES 

June 4: England vs Hungary (5pm)

June 7: Germany vs England (7:45pm)

June 11: England vs Italy (7:45pm)

June 14: England vs Hungary (7:45pm)

September 23: Italy vs England (7:45pm)

September 26: England vs Germany (7:45pm) 

It is a significant coup for the broadcaster and will be the first time that any of England’s Nations League matches have been on free-to-air television since the competition began in 2018, with the games previously on Sky.

England’s home World Cup and European Championship qualifiers have been on ITV since 2008 and that broadcaster has held the rights to home and away qualifiers since qualification for Euro 2016.

The deal does not cover the rights to matches at this year’s World Cup in Qatar, which will be screened on the BBC and ITV. 

‘After bringing some of the biggest sporting moments of last year to the nation, I’m delighted that Channel 4 will be airing so many mouth-watering England matches on free to air television,’ Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer Ian Katz said. 

‘This deal shows Channel 4 can compete for some of the biggest properties in sport and will bring substantial new audiences to our award-winning slate of original programming.’ 

‘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,’ Channel 4’s Head of Sport Pete Andrews added.

Six Nations League games will help Gareth Southgate's side prepare for the World Cup in Qatar

Six Nations League games will help Gareth Southgate’s side prepare for the World Cup in Qatar

England will face Italy in the Nations League this summer in a repeat of the Euro 2020 final

England will face Italy in the Nations League this summer in a repeat of the Euro 2020 final

‘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.’

Channel 4 has been admired for its sports coverage in recent years, with its broadcasting of cricket said to have had a huge impact on participation levels, particularly following the 2005 Ashes series and England’s 2019 World Cup win. It has held the rights to the Paralympic Summer and Winter Games since London 2012.

In 2021, the terrestrial broadcaster showed Emma Raducanu’s sensational victory in the US Open final as well as the winner-takes-all F1 finale in Abu Dhabi which saw Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton. 

Channel 4 showed the F1 finale in 2021 which saw Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton

Channel 4 showed the F1 finale in 2021 which saw Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton

This year’s Nations League will be the third edition of the competition, with England reaching the finals in its inaugural year in 2019. 

Gareth Southgate’s side will face four fixtures in June followed by two in September. The semis and final are due to be played in June 2023. 

Meanwhile, the qualifying schedule for Euro 2024 is set to be determined in October this year. 

source: dailymail.co.uk