Premier Sports Cup extension agreed as broadcaster picks up Challenge Cup
The four-year extension for a competition that kicks off with group stage matches this weekend comes as the broadcaster has also secured rights for the KDM Evolution Trophy [formerly the SPFL Trust Trophy] for the first time.
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Premier Sports will now show a minimum of four games from the Challenge Cup this season, with the option to show further matches.
The Premier Sports Cup deal extension comes after last season's competition welcomed record crowds of 440,697, culminating in a dramatic final which Celtic won 5-4 on penalties, following a thrilling 3-3 draw with rivals Rangers.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive said: 'We place great value on our long-standing partnership with Premier Sports and it's brilliant news that we've agreed a major extension for the Premier Sports Cup for a further four years.
'Premier Sports continue to be a fantastic supporter of our game, with their high-quality coverage of SPFL matches, and their ongoing commitment is a real boost for Scottish football.
Celtic won the competition last season -Credit:SNS Group
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'We look forward to working together to build on the success of the Premier Sports Cup in the seasons ahead.
'We're also happy to confirm that fans will now be able to enjoy coverage of the KDM Evolution Trophy on the channel for the first time as we welcome our new competition format.
'Crucially, these latest deals also underpin record prize money for clubs in the Premier Sports Cup and the KDM Evolution Trophy this season.'
Premier Sports will stream 25 group stage matches live from the competition, alongside five group stage live TV broadcasts, and live coverage of the latter stages.
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The announcement also comes as the SPFL have agreed changes to its long-term broadcast deals with Premier Sports and Sky Sports to allow two post-split, bottom six matches to be shown live on Premier Sports from season 2025/26.
They signed a five-season contract last year for Premier Sports to show 20 live Premiership matches per season in the UK and Ireland, which has now risen to 22.
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