Sky Sports have announced that they will screen Northern Ireland and Scotland’s Euro 2020 Play-Off Finals free-to-air for all viewers in UK on Thursday 12 November 2020.
With pubs and bars currently closed across much of the UK due to new Coronavirus restrictions, this announcement will be welcomed by football fans due to the ‘historic, national significance’ circumstances that the country is currently in.
Northern Ireland are looking to reach a second consecutive Euros Finals tournament as they host Slovakia at Windsor Park in Belfast in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off, with their match airing on Sky Sports Premier League plus Challenge, which is known as the home of classic worldwide gameshows like Ninja Warrior and Takeshi’s Castle.
Scotland meanwhile are looking to reach their first major Finals tournament since reaching the 1998 FIFA Men’s World Cup, with their match against Serbia in Belgrade available to view on Sky One, Pick and Sky Sports Football with kick-off at 7:45pm GMT.
Speaking on the decision to make these high-profile matches available across the UK for free, Sky Sports Managing Director, Rob Webster said; “We know how significant these fixtures could be for fans of Scotland and Northern Ireland. With two sides on the brink of qualifying for a major tournament, we felt it was the right moment in these exceptional and unique circumstances to make the games more widely available.”
Both matches will be available to watch via NOWTV, SkyGo on mobile, laptop or tablet with clips plus highlights available on SkySports.com, YouTube and Sky Sports social media channels.
Sky Sports however have reiterated that this is an one-off decision because domestic football and other live sporting events will remain exclusive to Sky Sports customers only, of whose support provides the broadcaster with ‘near-term financial security and sustained investment in the future.’
How to View Each Match Depending on Provider
Northern Ireland vs Slovakia
Sky – Challenge (160), Sky Sports Premier League (402)
Virgin UK – Challenge (164), Sky Sports Premier League (502)
Virgin Ireland – Challenge (157), Sky Sports Premier League (405)
Freesat – Challenge (146)
Freeview – Challenge (147)
Serbia vs Scotland
Sky – Sky One (106), Pick (159), Sky Sports Football (403)
Virgin UK – Sky One (109), Pick (165), Sky Sports Football (503)
Virgin Ireland – Sky One (114), Pick (133), Sky Sports Football (407)
Freesat – Pick (144)
Freeview – Pick (35)
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