All live sporting events BBC has lost rights to in 2026 with staff 'worried for future'
BBC staff are reportedly worried about the broadcaster's future as it continues to lose rights to sporting events in 2026. For decades, theBBC was the undisputed home of live British sport.
The television licence fee 25 years ago granted access to a host of iconic sporting occasions on the BBC including the Grand National, The Open, Test Cricket, the Paralympics and Royal Ascot. However, that reputation has since deteriorated, with the national broadcaster giving up its rights to various sports over the years.
The transformation under the BBC's Director of Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, has become increasingly evident in recent years as it shifts towards prioritising digital engagement rather than live sports.
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Part of the explanation for that is the rapidly evolving media landscape and the financial pressure created by streaming platforms, which make the commercial competition for live sport extremely fierce.
The consequence, however, is BBC Sport losing its unique reputation, built over decades, as the home of live sport. The Daily Mail recently highlighted some of the concerns internally at the BBC, with staff working on the corporation's ongoingSix Nations coverage reportedlyanxious about what the future may hold five years from now regarding their other programmes.
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Under a new four-year agreement from 2026 to 2029, the BBC has lost the rights to show England men's home and away fixtures for the Six Nations.ITV has therefore become the only broadcaster for all of England's Six Nations matches, while the BBC can broadcast five matches per season focusing on Scotland and Wales fixtures, along with the Women's and Under-20 Six Nations.
The BBC has also lost the rights to broadcast both theCommonwealth Games and theBoat Race in 2026. For the first time since 1954, the BBC will not be the main broadcaster for this summer's Commonwealth Games.
The rights for the 2026 Glasgow event were secured by Discovery-owned TNT Sports. The BBC was outbid following a 72-year history of showing the games. While TNT is exploring making some coverage free-to-air, the bulk of the 600 hours of coverage is expected to sit behind their paywall.
Another blow came after Channel 4 secured the broadcast rights to the Boat Race, which had been shown by the BBC for decades, apart from ITV's control from 2005 to 2009. While neither the Commonwealth Games nor the Boat Race are the largest sporting events on the calendar, they still draw considerable viewership and are seen as cornerstones of British sport.
The 2025 renewal of Oxford University and Cambridge University's annual contest attracted 2.6million viewers. Channel 4's deal also secures the rights for the Women's Boat Race centenary (2027) and the Men's Boat Race bicentenary (2029).
Staff are reportedly now also concerned about Wimbledon's future on the BBC as the broadcaster shifts its focus towards digital content such as Premier League clips.
While the BBC still holds the live TV rights for the main tournament until 2027, they have already lost the exclusive rights to Wimbledon highlights. TNT Sports has secured these, meaning the BBC no longer has a monopoly on the action at SW19.
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