The British soccer tiers below the Premier League will keep getting some shine on television under a huge new media rights deal.
English Football League clubs have unanimously approved a domestic rights deal with Sky Sports worth $1.2 billion over the five-year period between the 2024-25 and 2028-29 seasons.
That financial figure represents a 50% increase in value from the two entities’ current agreement, which expires after next season. Compensation will be in the form of $1.1 billion in guaranteed payments and the rest in marketing benefits.
Under the new agreement, 1,059 EFL matches are set to be shown exclusively on Sky Sports — a record number for any club soccer deal, per Sky, and four times the number of EFL games it currently offers.
The Championship — the highest tier of EFL — will receive 328 matches, while League One and League Two will get 248 each. Additionally, all Play-Off, Carabao Cup, and EFL Trophy matches will be shown on Sky Sports.
Sky Sports and the EFL have also committed to providing longer notice periods for clubs and fans as to which matches will be selected for TV.
And more fans could tune in after one of those clubs recently won promotion to EFL. Wrexham AFC — owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney — earned a spot in EFL League Two next season.
