Feb 21 • 05:00 UTC 🇬🇧 UK Mirror

Top-flight football returning to TV screens for free as BBC strike three huge deals for 2026

The BBC is set to broadcast top-flight football and other sports free-to-air in 2026, following significant broadcasting deals, including coverage of Serie A and an extension for the Netball Super League.

In a significant development for sports broadcasting, the BBC has announced it will bring top-flight football back to British television screens for free, following the conclusion of three major agreements for the year 2026. This comes as a welcome relief to fans who are increasingly frustrated by the rising costs of subscriptions to streaming services, especially in light of the growing trend towards these paid models in sports broadcasting. The decision to include Serie A matches is viewed as a key move to enhance the public service's sports portfolio and accessibility to a wider audience.

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