Scotland games to move from Sky Sports to new platform from 2024 in UEFA broadcast deal

Scotland fans will need to tune into a new platform for the next World Cup qualifiers after years of watching international matches on Sky Sports.

Television rights for Steve Clarke’s side are set to transfer to Nordic streaming service Viaplay, who have obtained exclusive rights to broadcast all Scotland fixtures across a four-year period from 2024 until 2028 in deal struck by Uefa.

This includes qualifiers for World Cup 2026 and Euro 2028, plus the Nations League campaigns through 2024-25 and 2026-27. Fans will need to pay a subscription to access the service although the Scottish FA is hoping to strike a free-to-air deal on some fixtures within the package.

International friendlies are also included in the Viaplay contract, however, talks on broadcast arrangements for the national team's Nations League and Euro 2024 qualifiers from June 2022 to 2024 are ongoing.

The deal was agreed through Uefa’s centralised media rights sales process, where the European governing body takes sole responsibility for the marketing and sales for all 55 member nation matches, with each country guaranteed a set fee from the centralised pot.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell welcomed the move, stating: “We are pleased that Viaplay recognise the value of the Scotland Men’s National Team and look forward to them broadcasting what will hopefully be more successful qualification campaigns for this current Scotland side.

“The guaranteed income that we receive through Uefa’s centralised media rights sales allows us to continue to grow the national game.

“The finances help us to invest in a multitude of areas, including the grassroots game, girls’ and women’s football, coach education and para-football, helping us harness the power of football to grow and develop the game.”

Scotland players applaud the fans at full time during a FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Scotland and Denmark. Future games will be streamed on a new service from 2024. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Viaplay will also broadcast Wales and Northern Ireland internationals and Anders Jensen, president and CEO of Nordic Entertainment Group, the company who own the streaming service, described the deal as “Viaplay's biggest UK sports milestone so far”.

He added: "Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have exciting young teams that millions of fans will be able to follow exclusively on our world-class platform.

"These matches are in good hands - we work closely with Uefa in the Nordic and Baltic regions, and know how much national sides mean to supporters.

"Viaplay's multi-territory partnerships with rights holders will be a key advantage as we challenge further in the UK sports market.

The Robertson family from Avonbridge watched from home as Scotland won 5-4 on penalties against Serbi in a match made free to air by Sky in November 2020. (Picture: Michael Gillen)

"The timing is also advantageous, with these rights coming on stream in 2024, which allows us time to build our UK brand and to innovate the Viaplay viewing experience even further."

Viaplay will launch in the UK in the second half of this year with content, pricing and dates still to be announced.

A statement from Hampden explaining the process also added: “The Scottish FA has held positive initial dialogue with both UEFA and Viaplay about the potential of some Scotland’s matches under the arrangement being free-to-air.”

Fans have long campaigned for better access to games and Sky had pledged to make more available without subscription following the epic qualifying win over Serbia in November 2020. The satellite company has been a prominent broadcaster of Scotland’s games for many years, holding exclusive rights since 2008.