Scottish Premiership launches bidding process for UK TV rights from 2029-30

The Scottish Professional Football League has begun the search for its next broadcast partner in the United Kingdom. Clubs in the top flight now know the television rights from the 2029-30 campaign are officially up for grabs, with the SPFL inviting interested broadcasters to put forward their proposals and expectant of serious competition for the package.

• The SPFL anticipates strong interest from UK broadcasters for the rights to the competition.
• The current five-year, £150 million deal with Sky Sports runs until the end of 2028-29.
• Premier Sports shows up to 22 Scottish Premiership fixtures per season under a separate agreement.
• League officials say they are open to changes in the number of matches shown live.
• The Scottish League Cup contract with Premier Sports is not affected by the new tender process.

What the current Sky Sports deal covers and when it expires

Sky Sports operates under a five-year agreement with the SPFL worth £150 million, which began last season and allows the broadcaster to screen up to 60 top-flight matches per term. That contract will remain in place through the end of the 2028-29 campaign, after which the new rights holder will take over from the start of 2029-30.

Premier Sports role and the SPFL's stance on live broadcast numbers

Premier Sports retains the capacity to broadcast up to 22 Scottish Premiership matches each season. The SPFL has signaled that it is flexible about the total number of live games offered in the next cycle, suggesting the final figure could shift depending on what broadcasters are willing to pay and how the market evolves.

"Securing strong broadcast partnerships is an essential element in maintaining a balanced and sustainable income mix for the SPFL and its clubs," said SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster.

Why the next TV contract matters to Scottish clubs

Broadcast revenue is a crucial pillar of the financial structure supporting Scottish Premiership clubs. Beyond the dominance of Celtic and Rangers at the top of the table, a healthier television deal can strengthen the entire division, improve wages and infrastructure across its members, and make the competition more competitive over the length of a full season.

The SPFL pitch to broadcasters and what makes the league appealing

Doncaster made the league's sales pitch clear when he described the Premiership as a tournament widely recognised as one of Europe's most exciting national competitions. The intense rivalries, historic stadiums and passionate crowds which define Scottish football are the key selling points as the SPFL looks to maximise the value of its main broadcast asset.

Scottish League Cup rights remain under a separate deal until at least 2031

The SPFL also confirmed that its separate contract with Premier Sports for the Scottish League Cup, which includes both broadcasting and sponsorship rights, stays in place until at least the end of the 2030-31 season. That arrangement is untouched by the invitation to tender for the Premiership and gives the league long-term stability across its cup competition.

Frequently asked questions about the Scottish Premiership TV rights tender