BBC Radio 5 Live

Broadcast Rights

Competitions available on BBC Radio 5 Live

FIFA World Cup

2026-2030

FIFA Women's World Cup

2019-2025

BBC has secured British media rights to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. BBC is set to provide extensive tournament coverage by joining ITV in showing all 64 matches live in the UK. The matches have been slotted on various BBC channels. The 2023 Women's World Cup Final is scheduled to air live on both BBC1 and ITV1 in the UK.

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In addition to television coverage, live audio commentary is available on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra. Viewers can also access match highlights through the BBC's online platforms, including BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Pregame and postgame shows are expected to be included in the broadcast lineup, with match highlights and recaps.

UEFA Euro

2028

The BBC has secured free-to-air rights to the UEFA Euro 2028 in the UK and will broadcast the games live on its television channels and also on its video-on-demand service, BBC iPlayer.

UEFA Champions League

2024-2027

The BBC has acquired UK rights to the UEFA Champions League for the 2024-2027 cycle. It is the first time that the British public service broadcaster has landed TV rights to this competition. BBC’s Champions League contract includes match highlights on television, as well as on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and mobile apps.

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Short clips around the competition are also expected to be regularly posted on the network’s social media channels. In addition, BBC’s deal includes the Champions League final.

UEFA Europa League

2024-2027

UEFA Nations League

2025-2026

England - Premier League

2022-2025

British public service broadcaster the BBC has acquired the UK live audio commentary rights for the English Premier League from 2022/23 to 2024/25. This lets BBC’s audio service provide live commentary for almost all EPL matches throughout the period of the deal. BBC gets first picks for Saturday 3pm fixtures, while also covering Saturday fixtures scheduled at 5:30pm, and Sunday fixtures at 2pm and 4:30pm.

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The majority of the live audio coverage is expected to be carried out on BBC Radio 5 Live.

England - FA Cup

2021-2025

British public service broadcaster the BBC has extended its English FA Cup domestic rights until 2025. The four-year contract renewal, which takes effect in 2021, will see BBC’s free-to-air television channels air up to 18 live FA Cup matches every season. Coverage will include up to six live FA Cup games from the first and second rounds, as well as FA Cup highlights and clips online.

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The BBC will be sharing FA Cup broadcasts with British commercial network ITV.

England - League Cup

2024-2028

BBC Radio services have live English commentary for up to 25 Carabao Cup games every season until 2028. The deal includes the Carabao Cup final, and the games are set to be streamed on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC 5 Sports Extra.

England - Championship

2024-2028

Public British broadcaster BBC has signed a deal for flash updates of the Sky Bet Championship, following a four-year contract with the EFL in the UK.

England - EFL Trophy

2024-2028

BBC has score flash updates for the Bristol Street Motors Trophy from 2024 to 2028.

England - League One

2024-2028

BBC is expected to provide live match commentary updates of the Sky Bet League One every matchday, until 2028.

England - League Two

2024-2028

BBC has acquired the rights to provide radio listeners with live updates from the Sky Bet League Two during matchdays.

Satellites

What satellites is BBC Radio 5 Live available on?

About

BBC Radio 5 Live history, coverage, features

BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC’s dedicated sports radio service. The station’s service was launched in March 1994 via analogue radio in AM or medium wave as a news service. On February 2, 2002, the service was launched as a digital-only platform. It added digital radio, television and internet streaming in recent years. Its content may also be available on BBC’s iPlayer for over a month after its initial broadcast.

BBC Radio 5 Live’s has virtually broadcast all major sports events in the UK where a British competitor has been involved, although most live sport events may have not been available online due to rights restrictions.

Throughout the years, BBC Radio 5 Live has aired some historic moments in sports history. Its wide range of live events has included domestic competitions such as Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup matches, adding international tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the FIFA World Cup, and all international games featuring the national teams of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. 

Other sports aired by BBC Radio 5 Live in the past include rugby, the Olympic games, boxing, tennis (mainly Wimbledon), the London Marathon and the World Athletic Championships.