Scotland Euro 2024 warm-up matches to be shown free-to-air as BBC strike deal with Viaplay

Major boost for Tartan Army as BBC secure TV rights for Hampden fixtures

Scotland fans will be able to watch two Euro 2024 warm-up fixtures on free-to-air television after the BBC struck a deal with Viaplay.

In a major boost for the Tartan Army, the Hampden friendlies against Northern Ireland on March 26, and against Finland on June 7, which will be the team’s final send off before the tournament in Germany, will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland and BBC Three for the rest of the UK. The two other matches, away to the Netherlands on March 22 and Gibralter on June 3, will remain exclusively on Viaplay, who will also show the two home matches in addition to the BBC offerings.

Pressure has been growing on broadcasters to obtain the rights for Scotland games, which are handled centrally by European football body Uefa. The current rights for the country’s national team are held by Viaplay, which announced last year it would be scaling back its involvement in Scottish football.

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke addresses the media after naming his squad for the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

The upcoming friendlies are key to the preparations for head coach Steve Clarke and his players ahead of the Euros which begins on June 14 when Scotland face the host nation following the opening ceremony in Munich.

Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland, said: “Excitement is building for the tournament and we’re delighted we can bring the fans live coverage of two games that will be significant in the build-up to the campaign in Germany.

"These internationals are a welcome addition to our portfolio of live football this season. In the men’s game we have Scottish Cup matches, including the final, and regular Championship games on the BBC Scotland channel. And in the women’s game we had coverage of the Nations League and we continue to bring our audiences live League and Cup matches.”

Richard Sweeney, managing director of Viaplay Sports UK, added: “Ahead of a huge summer for the Scotland national team, we are thrilled to make these key friendlies available to the widest possible audience, thanks to our agreement with the BBC.”

STV has secured the rights to the broadcast Scotland’s first match at Euro 2024 against hosts Germany, with the subsequent two group stage fixtures against Switzerland and Hungary being shown on the BBC.

Responding to confirmation that Scotland's two home warm-up friendlies would be shown on the BBC, SNP MP Gavin Newlands said: "This is a welcome development. Credit must be given to both the BBC and the independent broadcast stations for coming to this agreement.

"We must now redouble our efforts so that all Scotland games going forward are free-to-air. I will continue to seek a long-term solution that gives the next generation the chance to watch their heroes, while also protecting investment in grassroots football and ensuring both our senior national teams are available to all."