BBC and ITV gain EURO 2016 and 2020 rights

UEFA announced today that long-term UEFA partners BBC and ITV have been awarded the media rights in the UK in a combined deal for both UEFA EURO 2016 and UEFA EURO 2020. The two-tournament deal ensures free-to-air coverage for every match of the respective tournaments.

"We are delighted to reach an agreement with the UK's leading free-to-air broadcasters ITV and BBC. Both partners have in-depth experience of broadcasting the UEFA European Football Championship," said Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director of UEFA Events SA, when commenting on the deal.

He added that "of course it is great news for English, Welsh and Northern Irish fans, who will be able to follow their respective teams' performance at UEFA EURO 2016 in an unrivalled manner through BBC and ITV's cutting-edge coverage.

"Finally, yet importantly, this deal adds to the coverage and in-tournament excitement for UEFA EURO 2020, where the UK will host a total seven matches: four in Glasgow, both semi-finals and the final taking place in London at Wembley. All in all, this is a very positive agreement for all football fans in the UK."

The agreement covers exclusive live and delayed rights across all BBC and ITV platforms, along with magazine and highlights programmes. The extensive distribution for each tournament across the BBC and ITV's linear and digital assets means audiences in the UK will have unparalleled access to every game.