EBU members acquire 2023 Women’s World Cup rights

Eurovision Sport has agreed a deal with FIFA for its members to show the 2023 Women’s World Cup in 28 territories.

This includes Ireland, where RTE will now air the competition, but does not include the UK - where ITV have been linked with bidding for the rights that have been held by the BBC for the past two tournaments.

FIFA chief business officer Romy Gai revealed last week that bids from broadcasters in the UK, Italy, Germany, and France had been rejected, claiming that it was “a lack of willingness” to pay what the rights are worth, rather than a case of being priced out. 

Eurovision Sport’s deal covers RTSH (Albania); ORF (Austria); RTBF & VRT (Belgium/Luxembourg); BHRT (Bosnia/Herzegovina); BNT (Bulgaria); HRT (Croatia); CYBC (Cyprus); CT (Czech Republic); ERR (Estonia); GPB (Georgia); MTVA (Hungary); RÚV (Iceland); RTE (Ireland); RTV (Kosovo); LT (Latvia); LRT (Lithuania); PBS (Malta); TRM (Moldova); RTCG (Montenegro); MKRTV (North Macedonia); TVR (Romania); RTS (Serbia); RTVS (Slovakia); RTVS (Slovenia); SRG SSR (Switzerland/Liechtenstein); and TRT (Turkey). There are also four radio members involved: BNR (Bulgaria); CR (Czech Republic); LR (Latvia); and Radio Romania.

Ireland and Switzerland are the only two nations involved who have teams taking part in the competition, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand next year.

The deal includes TV, digital, and radio rights, with a commitment that key matches will be free-to-air and many territories to show all games free-to-air. There will also be highlights widely accessible in round-up and news programming, as well as on digital, and Eurovision news will provide members with news clips throughout the competition. The EBU will also support the tournament with dedicated promotional activities.

Sarai Bareman, FIFA chief women’s football officer, said: “With the draw now complete, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is set to be one of the biggest women’s sporting events ever, with the tournament shaping up to be another truly game-changing moment for women’s football and for fans around the world.

“Alongside FIFA’s ongoing commitment to accelerate the growth and development of the women’s football, free-to-air broadcasters will play an important role in attracting new audiences and growing the women’s game. We look forward to working with the EBU and bringing the tournament and women’s football to new fans in the region.”

Glen Killane, executive director of Eurovision Sport, said: “The EBU and our members continue to be world leaders in the broadcast and streaming of Women’s Sport. Our members are constantly setting the standard and pushing new boundaries; it is something we have proudly driven for many years.

“This agreement will build on the great legacy of the extraordinary coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 where EBU members provided record audiences. Next year’s World Cup provides us with an opportunity to once again show that public service media is committed to ensuring that showcasing Women’s Football and women’s sport continue to be central to our mission.”