England matches to be shown on new channel as Channel 4 loses TV rights

ITV have won back the rights to show England men’s football matches.

Back in April, Channel 4 announced that they had won the rights to broadcast England games between 2022 and 2024 – a deal that includes Nations League, European Championship qualifiers and international friendlies.

Upcoming fixtures in the previously mentioned competitions will continue to be shown live on Channel 4 in the coming months, with the nations' European Qualifier against Malta being aired on the channel as well as their last game of 2023 against Macedonia on Monday.

But it was confirmed that ITV will show free to air coverage of all England men’s football matches outside major tournament finals from September 2024 through to June 2028.

After the deal with UEFA was announced, ITV added that the first qualifying campaign will be England’s bid to reach the 2026 World Cup finals in North America, followed by the European Qualifiers to UEFA EURO 2028.

All Three Lions matches in the UEFA Nations League, plus all England friendlies, will also be shown by ITV, who had previously held the rights for England European Qualifiers from 2018 until 2022.

Niall Sloane, the Director of Sport at ITV, confirmed the news in a statement.

“We’re delighted to bring the England men’s team back to ITV, which keeps coverage of their progress between major tournaments on free to air television," he said.

"We have an experienced team here who are looking forward to bringing viewers all the action and insight from England’s qualification campaigns in the coming years.”

ITV will also share coverage of UEFA EURO 2024 and UEFA EURO 2028 with the BBC. They also hold broadcast rights for England Women’s football team matches until 2025.

Image credit: Getty

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