SPFL opens bidding for Premiership TV rights from 2029-30

The Scottish Professional Football League has opened bidding for live UK television rights to Premiership matches from the 2029-30 season. The invitation, announced on 20 October and reported by BBC Sport, starts the process of securing broadcast agreements for the period after the league's current arrangements with Sky Sports and Premier Sports expire.

In its official announcement, the SPFL said it was willing to consider different numbers of live matches and invited prospective bidders to discuss their preferences. Sky's existing agreement permits up to 60 Premiership games per season, while Premier Sports can show up to 22. Those league agreements continue through the 2028-29 campaign.

The tender does not include the separate Premier Sports Cup agreement. Its broadcast and sponsorship rights remain in place until at least the end of 2030-31. SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said broadcasting partnerships were important to maintaining sustainable income for the league and its clubs, and expressed confidence that broadcasters would show strong interest.

The bidding process follows record financial figures published by the SPFL on 8 October. Its latest annual accounts showed group distributions to clubs of £49.6 million, an increase of £7.6 million, or 18%. Group income reached £58 million. Fees paid to clubs by the SPFL rose separately by £6 million to £41.2 million, up 17%.

The league attributed the growth to several sources, including additional television income from its Premiership agreements and an enhanced Premier Sports Cup deal. Licensing, match data and sponsorship also contributed to its commercial business. The SPFL has set a target of distributing £50 million to clubs by 2029, following a strategic review conducted by Deloitte's Sports Business Group in 2021.

The distribution total covers more than league-position payments. According to the SPFL, it also includes parachute payments, money for ScottishPower Women's Premier League clubs, prize money in two cup competitions and facility fees for Premiership games televised by Premier Sports. Chairman Murdoch MacLennan said the league believed it could reach the £50 million target this season.