Sky Sports has won broadcast and digital rights for ICC live cricket in the UK and Ireland. The agreement lasts until the end of 2023 and represents the first time there is a contractual relationship directly between Sky Sports and the International Cricket Council.
Beginning in 2024, the partnership will see Sky and NOW offer coverage of all men’s and women’s events, including the ICC Cricket World Cups and ICC T20 World Cups. During the course of the partnership, there will be both a major international men’s and women’s event every year as well as a World Test Championship Final every two years.
In 2019, Sky and Channel 4 shared rights to the final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which recorded the highest average audience for a cricket tournament in the UK to date. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final in Australia last year was the highest viewed T20 match in the UK ever, according to the International Cricket Council.
Geoff Allardice, ICC Chief Executive, says: “We are delighted to partner with Sky Sports until 2031 as the home of ICC cricket in the UK and Ireland. For the first time the partnership will be a direct relationship with Sky Sports which gives us some exciting opportunities for innovative collaborations. I am confident this partnership can support our long-term ambition to attract more players and more fans to the game.”
Jonathan Licht, Sky Sports MD, comments: “This new direct partnership with the ICC means that Sky Sports viewers in the UK & Ireland will continue to enjoy every ball, run, wicket and catch from every international tournament for many years to come, and we’re all hugely excited to see what’s in store.”
