The UK-based pay-TV broadcaster, Sky Sports and the British free-to-air public broadcast television network, ITV have partnered to provide free-to-air coverage of select Carabao Cup and Championship fixtures for all UK football fans.
Under the terms of the new agreement, which runs through the end of the 2026–2027 season, ITV will co-broadcast a limited selection of games that are also available on Sky Sports. The agreement begins in January 2025 with the Carabao Cup semifinals.
EFL clubs have also given their approval to the new arrangement in compliance with league rules.
ITV will broadcast at least nine Carabao Cup matches throughout the entire season, including one tie from each of the first four rounds, one more tie from the third or fourth round, two quarterfinal ties, one semi-final tie, and the championship game.
Furthermore, ITV will simulcast 10 EFL Championship matches per season and five games in the second half of the 2024–25 season, with the prospect of flexing their selection to League One or League Two.
The agreement comes as the EFL and Sky Sports begin their innovative collaboration at the commencement of the 2024–25 season, with over 1,000 matches broadcast live each season, four times as many as before, and all 72 teams appearing more than 20 times per season.
Sports fans will be able to watch an immense number of games on Sky Sports+, which is available to Sky Sports subscribers at no additional cost and includes multiple live streams, a new dedicated channel, and an updated Sky Sports mobile app.
Additionally, ITV will continue to broadcast 55 highlights programs per season as part of its current EFL highlights deal, which will be extended starting with the upcoming 2024–2025 season. This is part of ITV’s long-standing partnership with the EFL.
ITV1 and ITV4 will air the games and highlights, while ITVX will offer on-demand and simultaneous streaming.
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. With ITV set to simulcast a select number of matches from the EFL from 2025 alongside Sky Sports full coverage, it means that millions of football fans in the UK will be able to enjoy plenty of action from the Cup and League, boosting the exposure for clubs which is great news for all.”
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, said, “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, EFL’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “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.”