UK public-service broadcaster BBC and the commercial network ITV will once again split the rights to a major soccer tournament, with the pair sharing broadcast duties for the FIFA 2027 Women’s World Cup through a newly announced deal.
In a repeat of previous agreements, BBC and ITV will share rights to the 64-game tournament, with both networks to broadcast the showpiece final.
BBC will disseminate content across its range of outlets, including live coverage on its linear TV channels, the BBC iPlayer OTT service, and radio networks, while additional content, including highlights and behind-the-scenes video, will feature across the broadcaster’s social media and digital channels.
ITV, for its part, will broadcast games on its primary ITV1 network, ITV4, and the ITVX streaming platform, and similarly distribute highlights and other ancillary programming across its range of social and digital channels.
Through a domestic broadcast partnership with England’s FA, ITV will broadcast the entirety of England’s qualifying campaign in anticipation of the event.
Speaking on the partnership, BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski commented: “[Women’s soccer is] a sport experiencing unprecedented growth in popularity and reach across BBC Sport platforms.
“From domestic leagues to major international tournaments, we've brought the defining moments to millions across the UK already, including this summer’s Women’s Euro. Extending our partnership with FIFA alongside ITV ensures that the drama and spectacle of the Women’s World Cup remains free-to-air, continuing to inspire audiences across the UK, and bringing in new fans of the game.”
ITV director of sport Niall Sloane added: “ITV Sport is the home of the Lionesses and it’s vital we ensure tournaments like the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 remain free-to-air for generations of football fans to enjoy, with support of the game at an all-time high.”
Interest in the 2027 Women’s World Cup is expected to be high in the UK, piggybacking on England’s success at the 2025 Women’s European Championships, which the team won yesterday (July 27).
The tournament drew huge viewership throughout, with both BBC and ITV reporting massive audiences.
Sloane continued: “ITV's coverage of the Lionesses' victory over Italy in the UEFA Women's Euro semi-final delivered ITV's biggest peak audience of the year with 10.2 million people tuning in, highlighting the brilliant support and interest in women's football.
“The FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 is sure to be another standout tournament, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with both FIFA and the BBC."
The 2027 Women’s World Cup will take place in Brazil from June 24 through July 25
Back in December, the BBC and ITV agreed a joint deal with FIFA to retain the rights for the 2026 and 2030 men’s World Cups, meaning this new deal seals free-to-air coverage of FIFA’s elite men’s and women’s competitions through to the end of the decade.
