BBC Alba to Broadcast Serie A Matches Featuring Seven Scottish Players

The BBC has announced a new agreement with DAZN to broadcast eight Serie A matches live on its BBC Alba Scots Gaelic-language network and BBC iPlayer for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. This move aims to cater to the growing interest in the seven Scottish players currently competing in Italy’s top-flight league.

Growing Scottish Presence in Serie A

A record number of Scottish footballers are currently playing in Serie A, prompting the BBC to secure these broadcasting rights. The players include Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay of Napoli, Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Che Adams (Torino), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), and Kieron Bowie (Hellas Verona). Collectively, these players have earned 164 caps for the Scottish national team Scotsman.

Broadcast Details and Commentary

The partnership began on February 15, 2026, with a match between Bologna and Torino. All broadcasts will include Gaelic-language commentary, while DAZN will continue to offer English-language broadcasts of the same games. This arrangement allows for wider accessibility and caters to both Gaelic-speaking and English-speaking audiences.

BBC’s Expanding Football Coverage

This agreement is the latest in a series of expansions to the BBC’s football coverage, following the appointment of Alex Kay-Jelski as head of sport in 2024. Recent additions include rights to LaLiga highlights until 2027, UEFA Champions League highlights until 2027-31, Friday night matches from the Bundesliga through 2027, and live matches from UEFA’s Women’s Champions League from the 2025-26 season.

DAZN’s Serie A Rights

DAZN holds the primary UK rights deal for Serie A, broadcasting all 10 matches per gameweek, with eight shown exclusively. TNT Sports broadcasts the remaining two matches each week.

Scotland’s Return to the World Cup

With Scotland qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 for the first time since 1998, the BBC is likely anticipating increased public interest in the performance of its players competing in Serie A.