Cricket fans, rejoice! The BBC has just signed a groundbreaking four-year audio deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC), ensuring ball-by-ball commentary for all major global tournaments. This partnership kicks off with the Men’s T20 World Cup this Sunday, where England will begin their title defence as the reigning champions.
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A Comprehensive Coverage Plan
This new deal is a cricket enthusiast’s dream come true, covering a vast array of tournaments over the next four years. Here’s what’s included in the agreement:
- Men’s and Women’s 50-over World Cups
- Two Women’s T20 World Cups (including the 2026 event in England)
- Two Men’s T20 World Cups (2024 and 2026)
- Men’s Champions Trophy in 2025
- New Women’s T20 Event in 2027
- Under-19 World Cups
With this deal, the BBC will also provide commentary for the ICC Men’s World Test Championship finals in 2025 and 2027, ensuring fans don’t miss a moment of these pinnacle events.
A Long-Standing Tradition Continues
Adam Mountford, BBC’s head of cricket, expressed his excitement about the extended partnership, stating, “It’s great news that we’ve extended our audio rights partnership with the ICC for another four years. We know from our 50+ years of broadcasting men’s and women’s world tournaments that these are events that really resonate with audiences, and it’s brilliant that our new deal begins with England’s defence of their Men’s T20 World Cup title.”
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ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice also highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “We are delighted to partner with the BBC, an organisation renowned for its rich history in sports broadcasting. This collaboration will significantly elevate the audio experience for cricket fans, providing unparalleled access to ICC events over the next four years through the ICC’s digital platforms.”
Looking Ahead: Key Tournaments
Here are some of the key tournaments covered under the new deal:
- June 2024: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
- September 2024: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
- January 2025: ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup
- February 2025: ICC Men’s Champions Trophy
- June 2025: ICC Men’s World Test Championship Final
- September/October 2025: ICC Women’s World Cup
- January 2026: ICC Men’s U19 World Cup
- February 2026: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
- June 2026: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
- January 2027: ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup
- February 2027: ICC Women’s T20 Champions Trophy
- June 2027: ICC Men’s World Test Championship Final
- October/November 2027: ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup
Extended Partnerships
In addition to this new deal with the ICC, the BBC continues to hold audio rights with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for home internationals until the end of the 2028 season and with Cricket Australia for the next men’s and women’s Ashes series. These partnerships ensure that the BBC remains at the forefront of cricket broadcasting, providing fans with comprehensive coverage of the sport they love.
Conclusion
This new agreement marks a significant milestone in cricket broadcasting, ensuring that fans have access to live commentary of the most important tournaments for the next four years. The BBC’s commitment to delivering high-quality coverage of cricket’s biggest events will undoubtedly enhance the experience for listeners around the world. As the Men’s T20 World Cup begins, cricket fans can look forward to an era of unparalleled audio access, thanks to this exciting new partnership between the BBC and the ICC. Stay tuned and let the games begin!