SPFL clubs will be able to stream all of their fixtures to season-ticket holders next season after a deal was reached between the league and broadcasters Sky Sports.
The SPFL confirmed in a statement that the ‘season passes’ that have been in use this season will continue next term,
Fans have been locked out of grounds since March 2020 and with no clear date in sight for grounds to return to anything close to capacity, the streams have allowed supporters to continue to watch their sides in action.
The news comes as clubs prepare to launch season ticket renewals ahead of the 2021/22 season and will be a welcome relief for supporters unsure whether they will get the chance to see their heroes live.
“For the past few months, there have been intense, detailed discussions between ourselves, Sky Sports and our clubs to give fans certainty that they will be able to watch their heroes playing live next season, irrespective of when supporters are allowed back into stadia. Today’s announcement is a major boost for everyone involved in the game,” SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said in a statement.
“Obviously, we are all desperate to get supporters back into grounds on a safe and sustainable basis and are making good progress in our discussions with the Scottish Government, especially given the pace of the vaccine roll-out.
“In a normal season, almost five million fans attend SPFL games, the highest per capita attendance in Europe, and the current broadcast deals have been an absolute lifeline for clubs and supporters alike as they battle the enormous financial pressures caused by Covid-19. The television viewer numbers for Scottish football this season have been magnificent and this was one of the key reasons behind our agreement with Sky Sports to extend our current arrangements.
“Sky Sports have been enormously supportive and, in the UK and Ireland, will continue to screen up to 48 live Scottish Premiership matches, as well as the Premiership play-off finals. In addition, the new deal enables Premiership clubs to broadcast on a pay per view basis every home SPFL game not selected by Sky Sports.”
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