The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has secured the free-to-air rights (FTA) to broadcast live matches from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations national teams tournament. This last-minute deal will allow UK sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts to enjoy ten key matches from the comfort of their homes.
The BBC plans to air AFCON matches ten matches live across its linear channels and on its streaming platform, BBC iPlayer. The games include the tournament's opening match between hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau on January 13, two quarter-finals, both semi-finals, and the final game scheduled for February 11.
Other notable fixtures include a group-stage match between four-time champions Ghana and seven-time winners Egypt on January 18, as well as two games from the last-16 stage. Nine of these matches will be aired live on BBC Three channel with one being broadcasted on BBC Two.
While this new arrangement allows public access to some key games via FTA rights, pay-TV giant Sky Sports retains comprehensive coverage of all 52 matches during the tournament through an agreement unveiled earlier this month. This follows their successful coverage of previous AFCON in 2021.
BBC have almost every marquee event under their belt
A new deal like this adds to BBC Sport's impressive roster of rights as it continues to expand, which already includes high-profile events such as Paris Olympic Games in 2024, FA Cup, Wimbledon Championships tennis grand slam, Six Nations rugby, and English Premier League matches.
Stephen Lyle, BBC Sport head of football, said:
“We are thrilled to bring audiences live, FTA coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations once again.
“In 2021, AFCON delivered the highest audience for BBC Three since it returned as a linear channel at 1.3 million, demonstrating the strong demand from audiences. Our TV rights package includes 10 matches from across every stage of the competition, meaning fans can follow the excitement and drama of this huge international competition from beginning to end.”
In addition to live coverage, sports fans can also look forward to highlights from all matches during the tournament across various platforms including its website - 'BBC Sport', and social media channels.
This move by BBC not only enhances their sports broadcasting portfolio but also provides sports fans and betting enthusiasts with more opportunities to engage with their favourite teams and players during the 2023 AFCON.
