New broadcast deals see Women’s World Cup stay free-to-air in the UK, while La Liga secures new OTT streaming deal in South Asia.
The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will remain free-to-air in the UK after the BBC and ITV secured joint broadcast rights for the tournament in Brazil.
Meanwhile, La Liga has agreed a five-year deal with OTT streaming service BEGIN, making the platform the exclusive home of both La Liga EA Sports and La Liga Hypermotion in Pakistan and Bangladesh starting in the 2025/26 season.
These two major broadcast agreements demonstrate the different strategies in football’s global media landscape, with one focused on preserving free access and the other on unlocking growth in emerging markets.
The BBC and ITV will split coverage of the group and knockout stages, and both will air the final.
Matches will be shown on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, ITV1 and ITVX, with additional coverage across radio, digital and social platforms. ITV will broadcast England’s qualifying and friendly matches ahead of the tournament.
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 is sure to be another standout tournament and we look forward to continuing our relationship with both FIFA and the BBC,” said Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport.
The tournament, scheduled to run from June 24 to July 27 2027, is expected to build on the momentum of England’s second consecutive UEFA Euro triumph.
“Extending our partnership with FIFA alongside ITV ensures that the drama and spectacle of the Women’s World Cup remains free-to-air,” said BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski.
“BBC Sport has been a longstanding champion of women’s football, helping to elevate the game to where it is today – a sport experiencing unprecedented growth in popularity and reach across BBC Sport platforms.
“From domestic leagues to major international tournaments, we’ve brought the defining moments to millions across the UK already, including this summer’s Women’s Euro tournament.”
La Liga expands into South Asia
La Liga’s plans are slightly different; as well as plans to expand to Pakistan and Bangladesh, the league plans to add Sri Lanka from 2026/27.
The partnership aims to tackle long-standing issues around piracy and fragmented access by providing a legal, direct-to-consumer solution for fans in the region.
“We are delighted to have BEGIN partner with us for Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. At La Liga we always look for best-in-class partners to deliver Spanish football to fans everywhere,” said Javier Tebas, La Liga President.
“BEGIN brings strong local expertise and shares our passion for growing the league’s reach. We look forward to working together over the next five years to bring the best of Spanish football to fans in the region.”
The streaming service will offer full match coverage as well as other content, with plans to support local football development through outreach programmes and digital engagement initiatives.
By providing a legal, scalable, and monetizable platform for premium leagues, we’re enabling rights holders, content producers, and brands to engage fans with confidence and scale,” said Jonathan Mark, CEO of BEGIN.
“Our collaboration lays the groundwork for a structured, future-facing ecosystem that delivers secure and commercially viable sports content, aligned with Begin’s long-term ambition to support outreach programs, develop local talent, and help and uplift a sustainable football talent pool across the region.”
Different strategies, but the same mission
England’s Lionesses lifted the UEFA Women’s Euro trophy for the second tournament in a row on July 27, defeating Spain on penalties. The win came in front of record crowds and amid record viewership figures, a moment which further cements women’s football in the global game.
While international tournaments like the Women’s World Cup are expected to remain free-to-air, this latest agreement between the BBC, ITV and FIFA reinforces the UK’s national commitment to ensuring the game is accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
La Liga’s new partnership with BEGIN reflects a more targeted goal aimed at regaining ground internationally.
In recent years, the Premier League has outpaced its Spanish counterpart in terms of global popularity and commercial reach. With this deal, La Liga is making a statement of intent to reassert its brand in international regions.
It’s also a move into a market which has played second fiddle to North America in recent years.
However, South Asia is once again being prioritised, both for its commercial potential and fanbase scale. Manchester United’s recent return to Asia for pre-season friendlies, alongside increased activity from clubs and leagues, signals a renewed effort to engage a region long viewed as one of football’s most lucrative markets.
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