The dividend from qualifying for next Summer’s Euro 2022 Women’s European Championships is evident in every corner of Northern Ireland’s and another deal announced last week will ensure it remains so regardless of what happens in England.
BBC Sport NI will show home Northern Ireland senior women’s internationals until 2026 in a new five-year broadcast agreement with the Irish FA.
The agreement will see every home game for Kenny Shiels’ side live streamed on BBC iPlayer. Northern Ireland’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifier against England on 8 April next year will also be shown live and free to air on the BBC network and BBC Two NI.
The agreement builds on the existing partnership between BBC Sport NI and the Irish FA which saw BBC Northern Ireland broadcast Northern Ireland’s historic qualification for UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
The tournament will be shown live across the BBC, and on RTÉ in the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland has been drawn in Group A and will get their tournament underway against Norway on July 7th in Southampton before playing Austria in the same venue on 11th July and England in the final group stage game the following Friday.
The side were denied by a last-minute equaliser against Austria when they met last week in the World Cup qualifiers.
“This partnership with the BBC means more visibility and connection with fans of all ages right across the country,” said Northern Ireland team captain Marissa Callaghan.
“Having our games broadcast live on a regular basis shows just how far the women’s game has come.”
“This is a really exciting time to be extending our partnership with the Northern Ireland women’s international team,” added Neil Brittain, Executive Editor of BBC Sport NI.
“With the Euros just a few months away, and a strong start to World Cup qualification already achieved, this is a group of players that is bringing pride to football fans across Northern Ireland. We look forward to bringing these matches free to audiences and to telling the story of this team next summer and for the next five years.”
“There has never been a better time to be involved in women’s and girls’ football in this country and we’re delighted that the BBC are coming on this journey with us,” said Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson.
“More live games means more visibility for the players and this will help the game, like our brilliant senior women’s team, continue to go from strength to strength.”
BBC Sport NI’s live rights portfolio includes The Ulster GAA Senior Football Championship, The United Rugby Championship, The NIFL Premiership, The Irish Cup, The North-West 200, The Ulster GAA Ladies Senior Football Championship, Ulster Women’s interprovincial rugby matches, The Larne Half-Marathon, schools’ sport and The SuperCup NI.
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