UK commercial broadcaster Channel 4 has acquired exclusive free-to-air rights to all England and Scotland games during the Uefa Women’s Euro 2017 national team football tournament.
The two countries have been drawn together in Group D for the tournament, which takes place in the Netherlands from July 16 to August 6.
England and Scotland meet in Utrecht on July 19, with the game to be shown live on Channel 4. Spain and Portugal make up the rest of the group.
Channel 4 will also show live coverage of the final on August 6, as well as at least one semi-final on August 3. Full details of all games to be broadcast by Channel 4 will be revealed nearer the time.
Women’s international football is traditionally shown in the UK by public-service broadcaster the BBC, which held rights to last year’s World Cup in Canada and the 2013 European Championships in Sweden.
A BBC spokeswoman confirmed to the Radio Times magazine that it had been outbid by Channel 4 for rights to Euro 2017.
“We’re disappointed not to have retained the rights to the Women’s Euros despite our unparalleled support for the game, the recent qualification matches and past tournaments,” the spokeswoman said. “We’re proud of our contribution to the growth of women’s football in the UK, highlighted by the competitiveness for these rights, and we’re pleased that the matches will remain free to air.
“The BBC’s commitment to women’s football remains incredibly strong with our extensive coverage of the Women’s Super League and FA Cup across TV, radio and online platforms.”