TNT Sports and Channel 4 have secured the domestic rights to the Women’s FA Cup as part of a new three-season deal with The Football Association (FA).
Starting next season, TNT Sports will show 19 matches from the knockout tournament each year, including one game from both the first and second rounds.
Channel 4 will also broadcast one match from each stage, beginning with the third round, and both networks will air the final live.
Since 2021, the BBC has held the broadcast rights to the Women’s FA Cup, airing both semi-finals and the final live, along with highlights and digital clips from the competition.
The FA has confirmed this marks the tournament’s first-ever stand-alone broadcast deal, which will lead to a major increase in the number of live matches shown — including coverage of the first round for the very first time.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham highlighted Channel 4 and TNT’s commitment to growing the competition and reaching new audiences.
“This is a significant moment for the Adobe Women’s FA Cup,” said Bullingham in a press release
“We have two broadcast partners who are deeply committed to growing the competition and taking it to new audiences over the next three seasons.
“Channel 4 and TNT are brilliant sports broadcasters and are the perfect combination for this very special tournament.
“We’re delighted to be working with them and look forward to continuing to grow women’s football together.”
TNT’s deal to broadcast the Women’s FA Cup follows its earlier agreement to show the men’s FA Cup, made earlier this year.
Starting next season, TNT will air most of the matches and has also struck a free-to-air sublicensing deal with the BBC.
Scott Young, senior vice president of content, production and business operations at Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) Sports, stated that adding the Women’s FA Cup to TNT Sports reflects their commitment to supporting women’s sport year-round, with a focus on telling powerful stories from grassroots to the elite level.
“Welcoming the Adobe Women’s FA Cup to join the men’s competition on TNT Sports underlines our ongoing commitment to partner with and grow women’s sport across the sporting calendar – from football to rugby, cycling, tennis and more,” said Young in a press release
“Starting with our team of passionate football storytellers, TNT Sports is excited by the opportunity to showcase the full breadth and power of women’s football stories – from grassroots through to the elite level.”
“We look forward to bringing the two competitions together and deliver an ambition to show more FA Cup coverage than ever before, to innovate in our coverage and promotion, and to give the women’s game a fantastic platform to reach millions of fans on TNT Sports.”
This marks Channel 4’s latest move in sports broadcasting, following its recent deal to show the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
England will look to defend its title in the tournament, with matches available on both Channel 4’s main TV channel and its YouTube channel.
