Sky Sports secures ICC live cricket rights through until 2031

UK pay TV broadcaster Sky Sports has announced a new long-term deal with cricket governing body the ICC which means it will continue to show top international cricket into the next decade. The renewed partnership starts in 2024 and runs until 2031.

Jonathan Licht

The deal gives Sky and its streaming platform NOW the broadcast and digital rights to show all men’s and women’s events at the pinnacle of the sport, including the ICC Cricket World Cups and ICC T20 World Cups through to the end of 2031. During the partnership, there will be both a major international men’s and women’s event every year as well as a World Test Championship Final every two years.

Sky also recently signed a new agreement with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that runs until the end of 2028. All told, the combined deals mean Sky will be broadcasting 28 international events between 2024 and 2031 across men’s, women’s and under 19 cricket. This includes at least three confirmed events in the UK.

Jonathan Licht, MD, Sky Sports, said: “With more people watching cricket at the highest-level after England men’s and women’s successes in 2017, 2019 and 2022, our coverage strives to give cricket fans the complete experience. This new partnership with the ICC means that Sky Sports viewers in the UK & Ireland can continue to enjoy every ball, run, wicket and catch from every international tournament for many years to come, and we’re all hugely excited to see what’s in store.”

ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice added: “For the first time the partnership will be a direct relationship with Sky Sports which gives us some exciting opportunities for innovative collaborations. I am confident this partnership can support our long-term ambition to attract more players and more fans to the game.”