Key takeaways
The FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament is a Group A listed event under the Broadcasting Act 1996. This means live coverage must be offered to free-to-air broadcasters before subscription services can acquire exclusive rights.
On 4 June 2026, Ofcom gave its consent to the BBC and ITV to broadcast exclusive live coverage of the Men's FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico (11 June to 19 July 2026) and the 2030 tournament.
The BBC and ITV are sharing coverage of the 2026 tournament. Each is showing half of the 104 matches, with both channels broadcasting the final. BBC Radio 5 Live also has live radio rights.
The listed events regime means that a subscription broadcaster such as Sky Sports or TNT Sports cannot hold exclusive live TV rights to Group A events without a free-to-air broadcaster also having the opportunity to show them.
The regime is being updated by the Media Act 2024, but the changes do not apply to contracts already entered into -- so the 2026 and 2030 World Cups are governed by the existing Broadcasting Act 1996 rules.
Reviewed: June 2026Key facts
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What are Ofcom listed events
The listed events regime is a set of rules, established in the Broadcasting Act 1996, designed to ensure that major sporting events of national interest are available to watch live for free on television. The Secretary of State designates certain events as listed events. Ofcom's role is to enforce the regime -- specifically, to give or withhold consent when a broadcaster wants to show exclusive live coverage of a listed event.
Without the listed events regime, subscription broadcasters such as Sky Sports, TNT Sports or Amazon Prime Video could in principle acquire exclusive rights to major sporting occasions and place them behind a paywall. The regime prevents this for the events that are on the list, ensuring that viewers without subscriptions -- or who cannot afford them -- still have access to major national sporting moments.
The list is divided into two groups. Group A events require full live coverage to be available on free-to-air qualifying services before any subscription broadcaster can show them. Group B events allow live coverage on subscription services provided secondary coverage (highlights or delayed transmission) is offered free-to-air.
How the World Cup 2026 got free-to-air coverage
The FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament is a Group A listed event. This means that before any broadcaster could hold exclusive live rights to the 2026 World Cup, a free-to-air qualifying service had to have the opportunity to acquire rights on fair and reasonable terms.
On 23 April 2026, the BBC and ITV applied to Ofcom for consent to broadcast exclusive live coverage of the 2026 and 2030 World Cup tournaments. Ofcom consulted between 23 April and 21 May 2026. No responses to the consultation were received, indicating no broadcaster objected to the BBC/ITV arrangements. Ofcom granted its consent on 4 June 2026.
The BBC and ITV are sharing coverage between them. Each broadcaster will show approximately 52 of the 104 matches in the tournament. Both channels will broadcast the final. The BBC plans to show its matches on BBC One or BBC Two, with limited provisions for BBC Three or BBC Four in unforeseen scheduling circumstances. The BBC has also acquired live radio rights, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live.
ITV applied on behalf of its full family of channels: ITV1, STV (in Scotland), ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4. ITV's matches will be spread across these channels depending on scheduling.
The World Cup 2026 runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026. All matches are available live on free-to-air television via BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 or STV at no charge. No subscription is required to watch any match.
Group A listed events -- what must be free to air
The current Group A listed events in the UK are: the FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament; the Olympic Games (Summer and Winter); the Paralympic Games (Summer and Winter); the UEFA European Championship Finals Tournament; the FA Cup Final (excluding Scotland); the Scottish FA Cup Final (in Scotland); the Rugby World Cup Final; the Grand National; and the Wimbledon Tennis Finals.
For all of these events, any broadcaster seeking exclusive live rights must give a free-to-air qualifying service the opportunity to also acquire rights on fair and reasonable terms. If no free-to-air broadcaster takes up that opportunity, Ofcom has the power to prevent the subscription broadcaster from showing the event exclusively.
Group B listed events -- secondary coverage required
Group B events have a lighter requirement. Live coverage can be shown on subscription television provided that secondary coverage -- highlights or clips -- is available free-to-air. Group B events include: the Men's Cricket Test Matches played in England; the Men's Six Nations Rugby Championship matches involving a home nation (shown in the relevant home nation); the Ryder Cup when held in Europe; the Men's Commonwealth Games; and the Men's World Athletics Championship.
The distinction between Group A and Group B reflects the degree to which the public is considered to have a right to watch the event live for free. Group A events are considered the crown jewels of UK sport -- moments of such national significance that live free-to-air access is non-negotiable. Group B events are important but not considered to require the same level of free-to-air protection.
How the Media Act 2024 changes the listed events regime
The Media Act 2024 updates the listed events regime, including changing the categories of qualifying broadcasters and updating how 'live coverage' and 'adequate live coverage' are defined. However, the Act provides that its changes do not apply to rights acquired before the changes come into force. Ofcom expects the updated regime to come into effect in summer 2026.
This means the 2026 World Cup is governed by the existing Broadcasting Act 1996 rules, as are the 2030 World Cup rights approved by Ofcom at the same time. Rights contracts already in place when the Media Act regime comes into force will continue to be governed by the existing rules for their duration.
Under the updated Media Act regime, the relevant services are being renamed. 'Qualifying services' become 'Category 1 services' (broadly PSB channels) and 'non-qualifying services' become 'Category 2 services'. The substantive purpose of the regime -- ensuring free access to major national sporting events -- remains the same.
What qualifying services are and why they matter
A qualifying service under the existing Broadcasting Act regime is a television channel that is both free to receive (no subscription required) and received by at least 95% of the UK population. Ofcom maintains the list of qualifying services. The main qualifying services are BBC One, BBC Two, ITV/STV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. These are the channels that must have the opportunity to acquire live rights to listed events before subscription broadcasters can hold exclusive rights.
Streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4's streaming service and Netflix are not qualifying services under the existing regime, because the regime was designed around linear broadcast television. The Media Act 2024 updates the framework to recognise changes in how people consume television, with provisions addressing on-demand and streaming services.
How to watch the World Cup 2026 for free in the UK
All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are available live and free via BBC or ITV channels. BBC matches are on BBC One or BBC Two, accessible via Freeview, Freesat, satellite and cable platforms, and via BBC iPlayer. ITV matches are on ITV1 (or STV in Scotland), ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4, accessible via the same platforms and via ITVX.
No subscription to any pay TV service is required to watch any World Cup 2026 match in the UK. This is the direct result of the listed events regime and Ofcom's consent to the BBC/ITV arrangements. Ofcom also published guidance on avoiding broadcast delay when watching live events online -- search for 'Ofcom avoid the delay World Cup' for tips on minimising the difference between the live broadcast and online streams.
Related guides
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Kael Tripton Ltd is not regulated by the FCA. Information sourced from Ofcom, the BBC, ITV, the CMA and GOV.UK. Always verify current information at ofcom.org.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Is the World Cup 2026 free to watch in the UK?
Yes. All 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are available live and free in the UK. The BBC is showing approximately half the matches on BBC One and BBC Two. ITV is showing the other half on ITV1/STV, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4. Both channels are showing the final. No subscription is required.
Who decided the World Cup would be free to air?
Ofcom granted formal consent on 4 June 2026 to BBC and ITV to broadcast exclusive live coverage of the 2026 and 2030 World Cup tournaments. The FIFA World Cup is a Group A listed event under the Broadcasting Act 1996, which means live coverage must be available on free-to-air channels. Ofcom's role is to ensure the regime is followed.
What is a Group A listed event?
A Group A listed event is a major sporting occasion designated by the Secretary of State under the Broadcasting Act 1996 as requiring full live free-to-air coverage. Any broadcaster wanting exclusive live rights to a Group A event must first offer a qualifying free-to-air broadcaster (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5) the opportunity to acquire rights on fair and reasonable terms. Group A events include the World Cup, Olympics, Paralympics, Wimbledon, FA Cup Final, Grand National and Rugby World Cup Final.
Could Sky or TNT Sports show the World Cup exclusively?
No. Under the listed events regime, Sky Sports or TNT Sports cannot hold exclusive live broadcast rights to Group A events such as the World Cup without a free-to-air qualifying service also having the opportunity to show it. If no free-to-air broadcaster acquires rights, Ofcom can withhold consent for exclusive subscription coverage. In practice, the BBC and ITV acquire rights to all Group A events.
What matches is the BBC showing at the World Cup 2026?
The BBC and ITV are sharing the 104 matches roughly 50/50. The BBC is showing its matches on BBC One or BBC Two, with limited provisions for BBC Three or BBC Four in unforeseen scheduling circumstances. The BBC also has live radio rights for all matches on BBC Radio 5 Live. Check the BBC Sport website and ITVX for specific match schedules as the tournament progresses.
What is the Media Act 2024 and does it affect the World Cup?
The Media Act 2024 updates the listed events regime, changing how qualifying broadcasters are defined and how live coverage requirements work. However, it does not apply to rights contracts already signed before the changes come into force. The 2026 World Cup rights were acquired under the existing Broadcasting Act 1996 regime, which continues to govern them. Ofcom expects the updated Media Act regime to take effect in summer 2026.
Are women's sporting events listed events?
The Women's World Cup and UEFA Women's European Championship are not currently Group A listed events, though there have been calls to add them. The Summer and Winter Paralympics (both men's and women's) were added to Group A in January 2020. The government has been considering adding women's football tournaments to the list. Check the current list at ofcom.org.uk for the most up-to-date position.
How does Ofcom enforce the listed events regime?
Ofcom maintains the list of qualifying free-to-air services. When a broadcaster wants to hold exclusive live rights to a listed event, Ofcom's consent is required. Ofcom reviews whether the free-to-air broadcaster has had a genuine opportunity to acquire rights on fair and reasonable terms. If Ofcom does not grant consent, the exclusive live coverage cannot proceed. Broadcasters that breach the regime can face regulatory action under the Broadcasting Act.
