Virgin Media secures rights to UEFA Nations League in new deal

Irish football fans can watch UEFA Nations League matches, finals and European qualifiers for both UEFA Euro and FIFA World Cup for free on Virgin Media TV, in what the broadcaster describes as a “major coup” for Irish sports fans.

The company announced tonight that it has acquired multi-platform rights for the 2022-2025 UEFA Nations League and UEFA Nations League Finals, the UEFA European Qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2024 and the European Qualifiers for the FIFA Football secured the 2026 World Cup.

The deal gives Virgin Media Irish the right to broadcast top international matches featuring Europe’s best sides such as England, France, Germany, Belgium and Italy as well as highlights of all Ireland football internationals for the next four years, the broadcaster said in a statement.

June will be a celebration of football, starting on June 1 with the Finalissima, which sees Italy, winners of UEFA EURO 2020, take on Copa America winners Argentina.

The European Qualifiers to World Cup 2022 with Scotland v Ukraine and Poland v Wales will also be broadcast on Virgin Media Television.

Virgin Media Television will also have the exclusive Irish free-to-air rights to England matches when they face Germany, Italy and Hungary in June.

Mick McCaffrey, Head of News and Sport, Virgin Media Television, said: “This is fantastic news for Irish football fans as we continue our investment in top international football. Our agreement with UEFA means that the best matches will be broadcast live and free-to-air on Virgin Media Television.

“The Nations League has been a really successful concept and we are very much looking forward to bringing all the matches of the tournament live to our viewers in June and for the next four years. We will also broadcast the final of the tournament.”

“Virgin Media will also be home to the major European Qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2024 and the European Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” he added.