There is doubt about future qualifying campaigns after the BBC deal came to end at the end of this qualifying campaign.
Scott McTominay celebrates with Kieran Tierney (Image: SNS Group)
Calls have been made for all major Scottish international sporting events to be available to watch on free-to-air TV.
With Scotland looking ahead to the the men’s football team competing in the World Cup finals for the first time this century and Glasgow set to host the Commonwealth Games, the SNP has urged for all of the country’s biggest sport competitions to be aired for free.
The nation was able to enjoy Scotland’s dramatic victory over Denmark in November after all of Scotland’s qualifying matches were available to watch on the BBC. Scotland’s World Cup matches this summer will all be broadcast on terrestrial TV but there is doubt about future qualifying campaigns after the BBC deal came to end at the end of this qualifying campaign.
This could mean a return to the situation which Scottish football fans endured for many years when Scotland matches were only available on pay-per-view channels .
Commenting, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor said: “Scotland’s dramatic victory over Denmark showed us the unique power which sport has in pulling people together and in giving joy to thousands.
“This was only possible because the match was on terrestrial TV. For many years we had the ludicrous situation where Scotland’s qualifying matches were only on various pay-per-view channels whist all England matches were broadcast on free-to-air TV to viewers in Scotland.
“One thing which has been largely overlooked is that the deal with the BBC to broadcast qualifying matches only ran until the end of this campaign and it is likely that future qualifying games will once again only be available on paid for subscription services.
“When sporting events are behind paywalls much of the population is excluded from watching. With the cost of essentials continuing to rise under this Labour government many simply can’t afford to fork out for extra TV subscriptions – so it is vital that these major events are free to air.
“At the start of 2026, I would like to wish Steve Clarke’s side and all of our athletes competing in the Commonwealth Games the best of luck this summer.”