UK pay-TV sports broadcaster, Premier Sports, has secured domestic rights to broadcast the final stages of Spanish soccer’s Copa del Rey knockout cup competition. This move will provide live and exclusive coverage of the upcoming semi-finals and final.
The deal was struck with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), allowing Premier Sports to offer exclusive coverage of these crucial matches. The first Copa del Rey semi-final will feature Barcelona against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, February 25th. Real Madrid will then face Real Sociedad in the second semi-final match on the following day. The second legs are scheduled for April 1st and 2nd, culminating in a grand finale at La Cartuja stadium in Seville on April 26th.
Interestingly, earlier rounds of the Copa del Rey were not broadcasted in the UK as broadcasters have shown a preference for picking up latter stages over recent years.
Previous broadcasters
In past years, this prestigious competition has been showcased by Premier Sports from 2020-2022 and by pay-TV giant TNT Sports during 2023 and 2024.
This deal significantly expands Premier Sports' offering of Spanish soccer within UK borders as it also holds exclusive rights to top-flight LaLiga matches. However, it's worth noting that this agreement is set to expire at the end of season 2024-25.
Broad rights portfolio
Premier Sports holds an impressive portfolio of broadcasting rights across both the UK and Republic of Ireland markets. This includes coverage of a wide range of sports, from football to rugby, ice hockey, and car racing. Football fans can enjoy matches from the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup. For rugby enthusiasts, Premier Sports offers coverage of the United Rugby Championship, Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup as well as France's Top 14 league.
Additionally, they cater to NHL ice hockey fans and those who follow Nascar stock car racing series closely. This diverse portfolio underscores Premier Sports' commitment to providing comprehensive sports coverage for its viewers. In addition to these offerings in Republic Ireland market specifically, they also hold exclusive rights to a Saturday 3pm English Premier League fixture from every round, the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League club competitions.
This new deal with RFEF is a significant step for Premier Sports in expanding its Spanish soccer coverage. It not only provides sports fans with exclusive access to the final stages of Copa del Rey but also strengthens their position as a leading sports broadcaster in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
