The BBC has announced it’s agreed an exclusive deal to broadcast Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland men’s international football matches in the run-up to the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of BBC Nations, says: “I’m absolutely delighted that fans across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will now be able to enjoy live, free-to-air coverage of all the big international football matches.
“Nothing fires the imagination more than live international sport and the race to qualify for the world’s biggest tournament. It’s going to be quite a ride and I’m thrilled the BBC will be there every step of the way.”
The deal, agreed with UEFA, includes 41 live matches over the next fifteen months – starting with this month’s international ties. It’s the first time the BBC has secured live television rights for all three of the UK’s devolved nations.
The matches will be shown on BBC One in each nation and BBC iPlayer – with key fixtures also being broadcast on network television across the UK – and will add to existing live international coverage on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Cymru and the BBC Sport app.
In Wales, live match coverage will be available in both English and Welsh.
Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, today launches its new direct service linking the capital cities of Scotland and Wales.
To mark the launch of the new route between Edinburgh and Cardiff, Loganair’s head of revenue and sales, Donna McHugh, will fly to the Welsh capital to meet Spencer Birns, CEO at Cardiff Airport.
The service will operate up to five times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, connecting Scotland and Wales for business and leisure travellers alike.
Flights will be on Loganair’s 49-seat Embraer 145 regional jets, with prices on the 1hr 20min trip starting at £50.99 one way including all taxes and charges. All Loganair fares include a free checked baggage allowance.
The direct flights represent the last major route to be restored by Loganair and other carriers, thereby bringing back the domestic connectivity lost when Flybe collapsed in March 2020.
The Cardiff service adds to the eight others already flown from Edinburgh by Loganair, including Southampton, Newquay and the Isle of Man.
Donna McHugh, head of revenue and sales at Loganair, said: “Loganair is delighted to once again be operating the Edinburgh to Cardiff route.
“It is vital that connectivity is maintained between these two major cities and we know it will prove very popular with both our leisure and business travellers.”
Spencer Birns, CEO at Cardiff Airport said: “It’s fantastic that Loganair has re-instated such a vital and in-demand route, re-connecting the Scottish and Welsh capitals.
“Once again, customers will be able to fly with ease between Cardiff and Edinburgh, and fly from their local Airport for business travel, to visit friends and family, or to experience the vibrant city of Edinburgh and Scotland’s natural beauty.
“It is our priority to re-instate routes lost due to COVID-19 pandemic, and we are delighted that Scotland’s airline has stepped in to provide an essential service to both our business and leisure customers. We’d like to extend a warm Welsh welcome to Loganair and thank the airline for their support.”
Kate Sherry, aviation director at Edinburgh Airport said: “We’re excited to be reconnecting the capitals of Scotland and Wales, a route which will allow family members to reunite as well as enable people to enjoy a well-earned break in Edinburgh and Cardiff.
“It’s been an extremely tough period and we know people are looking forward to enjoying some time away from home, and this is further good news as the airport looks to provide those opportunities for our passengers. Loganair is a valued partner and its confidence in Edinburgh Airport is welcome now and going forward.”
Scotland play host to Wales in their first home game of this Six Nations tournament today and 67,000 spectators – a few of them Scots! – will flock to Murrayfield Stadium for the sell-out match.
The fixture is the first Six Nations home game since Edinburgh Trams passenger services began last year and the operator is putting in place arrangements to cater to the many thousands of fans who are expected to travel to and from the match by tram.
Advice for anyone planning to travel by tram can be found on the Edinburgh Trams website. Passengers are also advised to keep an eye out for updates from Edinburgh Trams’ Control team on the day via @EdinburghTrams.
To ensure pedestrian safety and to minimise traffic disruption, pedestrian diversions will be implemented around the Haymarket Station area following the match.
The City of Edinburgh Council is working closely with Police Scotland to keep road and pedestrian traffic moving smoothly before and after the game.
Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “Six Nations home games are always a very exciting fixture in Edinburgh’s events calendar and I know there will be thousands and thousands of people getting ready to make the trip to Murrayfield Stadium on Sunday. I’d encourage everyone to plan their journey carefully and take heed of travel and parking information so that they can have as enjoyable a time as possible. Good luck to Scotland!”
Police and stewards will be on hand to help direct members of the public from the Stadium to the city centre.
Those heading back into the city centre on foot will be diverted left off the main road up Magdala Crescent to continue back into town.
Pedestrians travelling by rail from Haymarket Station will be guided along the main road towards Haymarket and stewards will be on hand to provide further assistance and advice as they approach the Station.
Although Russell Road is currently closed for Network Rail works, pedestrians will be able to use two dedicated lanes to access and exit the Stadium.
Information about getting to and from Murrayfield Stadium by tram, bus or rail can be found on the Scottish Rugby website.
And the game itself? I’m something of an expert having played for Royal High School’s sixth XV on a number of occasions (yes, okay, twice then and that was over forty years ago, but still …) and I reckon if Scotland can get the basics right we can run the Welsh pretty close today. Cut out the elaborate, ‘fancy Dan’ nonsense, keep it simple and we’re in with a chance.
England exposed some surprising Welsh frailties last weekend and Wales are there to be beaten this afternoon – but Scotland will have to improve and avoid silly mistakes. Unforced errors and conceding daft penalties could prove suicidal, for even when the Welsh are not functioning at concert pitch they can always call on the unerring boot of Leigh Halfpenny. Be brave, Scotland, but beware …
And on another (musical) note – isn’t the Welsh National Anthem the most stirring of them all? Enjoy the game (kick off 3pm)!
