ECB extends Sky Sports deal

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has extended its media rights partnership with Sky Sports till 2028. The four-year extension will entail 90 additional hours of live cricket, more women’s cricket coverage, increased coverage of The Hundred and Vitality Blast and also investment in grassroots cricket through the Dynamos Cricket programme. Sky will also be investing in initiatives for children from all backgrounds to play the sport and also support the women’s game along with the domestic scene. The extension will also give England Women’s cricket a “defined commitment”, which is a step forward towards growing and commercialising the women’s game.

Clare Connor, ECB Interim Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“We have a shared commitment to growing the sport and investing in more opportunities not only for people to watch and follow cricket in all its forms, but also to pick up a bat and ball.

“Thanks to Sky and the support of other partners, we saw a record 14 million people playing, attending or following cricket in 2021. This year alone, 10,000 children will get the chance to have a free taste of cricket through Sky Dynamos Intros.

“Our shared values and vision with Sky will make cricket accessible to even more people over the coming years and will use the power of sport to inspire the next generation, while safeguarding the wonderful traditions which are such a key part of our game.“

Stephen van Rooyen, Sky’s EVP and CEO UK and Europe, added:

“On screen, we will continue to push boundaries in our BAFTA-winning coverage, bringing Sky Sports viewers even more live action from 2025 – including more women’s cricket than ever before – with men’s and women’s England internationals and domestic cricket. 

“Sky’s investment over the last 30 years has contributed to a great deal of success on the pitch, and we hope to be at the forefront of much more to come.“