What cricket can I watch on Sky Sports?
Dan Howdle | March 5th, 2024
The picture of what cricket is shown where throughout the year is a complicated one. Sky Sports has the lion's share, meaning for many, Sky Sports Cricket (via a full Sky Sports subscription) will be the only service you need. However, Sky Sports by no means shows all the cricket, with many leagues and championships spread out among a number of other providers, most notably TNT Sports. So here, in this guide, we'll take you through the cricket you can watch on a Sky Sports subscription this year, as well as show you what is shown elsewhere.
Cricket screened in the UK (all channels)
The picture changes yearly for some of the smaller or more special-interest cricket events. However, for the big stuff like International Test Cricket, the ICC World Cup, One-Day Internationals and T20Is, Sky has done a pretty great job of securing the rights in multi-year deals, owning many of them right up to 2030.
In order to contextualise the cricket you can watch of Sky Sports then, it's going to be a good idea to show you all the cricket on all channels in order to have a good understanding of the broader picture.
Cricket screened in the UK by channel and matches shown
| Sky Sports Cricket |
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| TNT Sports |
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| BBC |
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| YouTube |
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| DAZN |
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Cricket shown on Sky Sports
Compared to football on Sky Sports, where many leagues and championships are shared between different providers – very irritating if you just want access to all the football throughout the year – thankfully, the picture with cricket isn't quite so patchy. However, you'll still need TNT Sports as well as Sky Sports in order to follow the England's international team around the world. Sky Sports owns the complete rights to most of the major leagues and tournaments, and doesn't have to share it with others such as TNT Sports (which has its own rights to certain cricket leagues).
Here's a look at what cricket is offered specifically by Sky:
England Home Tests, ODIs and T20Is
Sky has the rights to England men's Test Cricket, ODIs and T20Is, but rather annoyingly only for home matches. When playing away, some of the coverage will be found on TNT Sports. Sky Sports does however own the complete rights, home and away, for the women's cricket team and will continue to own them till 2028.
All ICC cricket is on Sky Sports
Sky Sports has the exclusive rights to show all ICC cricket matches on Sky Sports for at least the next six years. This includes the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Women's World Cup, ICC Men's T20 World Cup, ICC Women's T20 World Cup, and the ICC Under-19 World Cup.
County Cricket Championship
Sky Sports is the only place to watch the County Cricket Championship. However, you should browse through Sky Sports' own TV listings to check which matches will be shown. Sky Sports will not show every match, stating 'selected matches only'. It should also be noted Sky only owns the rights to the County Championship up to 2024 (this year). It could change hands afterwards (hopefully to a provider that will show all matches), but it might just as easily stay with Sky. Whichever way that goes, it's worth knowing.
T20 (Vitality) Blast
The T20 Vitality Blast is an English domestic Twenty20 cricket competition that brings together all 18 First-Class County Cricket Clubs in England and Wales. It was previously known as the T20 Blast, but since 2020, it's sponsored by Vitality, a healthcare company, hence the current name. It's exclusively available to watch on Sky Sports.
One Day Cup
The One-Day Cup, currently known as the Metro Bank One-Day Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a domestic 50-over cricket competition in England and Wales. It involves all 18 First-Class County Cricket Clubs, providing a platform for players to showcase their skills in the longer limited-overs format. Sky Sports will be screening the final exclusively, but only has the rights to do so in 2024.
The Hundred
The Hundred cricket is being screened exclusively on Sky Sports. The Hundred is a newly introduced, fast-paced 100-ball cricket format. Unlike traditional cricket matches, which consist of 6-ball overs, The Hundred comprises 5-ball overs. This adds an element of excitement and urgency, as batters and bowlers have less time to make an impact.
Indian Premier League (men's and women's)
TNT Sports has the Caribbean League, but you can find the Indian Premier League exclusively on Sky Sports. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular T20 cricket leagues in the world. It is renowned for its high-octane matches, star-studded lineups, and nail-biting finishes. The IPL features eight franchise teams representing different Indian cities and regions, and each team comprises a mix of international and domestic players. It's a tournament that brings together the best of cricketing talent from around the world and showcases some of the most innovative and entertaining cricketing action. With its colourful and vibrant atmosphere, the IPL has become a global phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers and creating a fanatical fan base.
Australian Big Bash League (men's and women's)
The Big Bash League (BBL) is Australia's premier T20 cricket competition, drawing some of the biggest names in international cricket and captivating audiences with its fast-paced and thrilling matches. It's exclusive to Sky Sports. Established in 2011, the league has become a staple in the cricketing calendar, showcasing top-tier talent and providing a platform for young cricketers to shine on a grand stage. Its unique franchise-based model, featuring eight teams from various Australian cities, has helped create a strong sense of community and rivalry among fans, making the BBL an exciting and inclusive sporting event for people of all ages.
South African SA20
The South African Twenty20 Challenge (SA20) is a prestigious T20 cricket tournament that brings together some of the best cricketing talent in South Africa. It's exclusive to Sky Sports, and best known for its fast-paced, high-octane matches and electrifying atmosphere, making it a favorite among cricket enthusiasts.
Abi Dhabi T10
The Abu Dhabi T10 is a rapid-fire cricket league with an unconventional twist. With 10 overs per side, each game is an intense and fast-paced encounter that tests the skills and strategy of players. It's known for its big-hitting batsmen, fierce bowlers, and high-scoring matches.
How to get Sky Sports
There are a wide variety of ways to get Sky Sports, some cheaper than others, some more convenient than others. Let's take a quick look:
| Subscription method | Sky Sports price | Contract length |
|---|---|---|
| NOW TV | £34.99 per month | 31 days |
| EE TV (BT) | £34.99 p/m, but only via NOW TV | 24 months |
| Sky Stream/Glass | £20 per month | 18 months or 31 days |
| Sky Q | £22 per month | 18 months |
| Virgin Media TV | From around £39.25 p/m* | 18 months |
Prices correct at time of writing, but may vary slightly over time