Carabao Cup and Championship games to be shown on new channel as deal announced that will delight fans

Sky Sports and ITV have reached an agreement in principle to broadcast select Carabao Cup and EFL Championship games, giving fans the chance to watch free-to-air fixtures.

The ground-breaking deal starts in January 2025, running until the end of the 2026/27 season and means ITV will jointly broadcast a select number of matches also available on Sky Sports.

ITV will screen at least nine Carabao Cup matches in total, including one tie from each of the four rounds, one additional tie from either the third or fourth round, two quarter-final ties, one semi-final tie and the final - which was won by Liverpool, who beat Chelsea in this season's Wembley Stadium showpiece.

In terms of the Championship, ITV will simulcast 10 matches from England's second tier each season.

Sky Sports, however, remain the main UK rights holder.

Liverpool celebrate winning this season's Carabao Cup. Image: Getty

Jonathan Licht, managing director of Sky Sports, said: "This momentous upcoming season of over 1,000 matches from the EFL on Sky Sports+ shows our huge ambition and increased dedication to the EFL and its supporters.

"Working with a free-to-air broadcaster isn’t new for us and many of our partners, as we endeavour to help grow and broaden audiences for sports."

Niall Sloane, ITV director of sport, added: "This deal brings viewers free to air coverage of top level knockout football over the coming years, as well as standout matches from the EFL, adding regular live matches to our highlights shows.

"We’re looking forward to bringing fans some superb action and insight from this new, fuller EFL package across the next few seasons."

Trevor Birch, chief executive officers of the EFL, commented: "We’re delighted to continue a long-standing relationship with ITV, in partnership with Sky Sports, to deliver an added showcasing of the best of the EFL to a wider audience.

"We want the EFL to be accessible to as many audiences as possible, and this extra offering, with no additional subscription required, only enhances our reputation. I’d like to thank both organisations for their ongoing support and genuine commitment to all EFL competitions."