Viaplay snap up exclusive Scotland broadcast rights as UEFA deal set to hit fans in the pocket

Nordic streaming service Viaplay has acquired exclusive rights to broadcast ALL Scotland men's matches from 2024 to 2028.

UEFA have announced a deal has been struck to air future World Cup and Euro qualifying campaigns plus Nations League and friendly matches via the online-only subscription platform.

It's a move which will take national team fixtures away from long-running broadcast partner Sky Sports – and likely incur further cost for fans.

But the SFA have stressed talks are ongoing over making some matches free-to-air.

The deal has been negotiated under UEFA's national association media rights sales process, through which European football's governing body takes control of the marketing and sale of broadcast rights for all 55 European nations.

SFA chief Ian Maxwell has welcomed the development, insisting finances from UEFA's centralised process will help grow the Scottish game.

He said: “We are pleased Viaplay recognise the value of the Scotland men’s national team and look forward to them broadcasting what will hopefully be yet more successful qualification campaigns for this current Scotland side.

“The guaranteed income that we receive through UEFA’s centralised media rights sales allows us to continue to grow the national game.

“The finances help us to invest in a multitude of areas, including the grassroots game, girls’ and women’s football, coach education and para-football, helping us harness the power of football to grow and develop the game.”

Viaplay is a Netflix-style platform streaming movies and TV shows online, as well as branching into live sport.

It is not yet available in the UK but will launch in the second half of 2022 with pricing details to follow.

The Welsh FA announced on Wednesday