BBC TO BROADCAST THIS SUMMER'S NETBALL WORLD CUP

The BBC has agreed a deal with World Netball to broadcast matches from the Netball World Cup 2023, which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa this summer.

With the tournament running from 28 July to the 6 August, the deal means that BBC television will have live coverage of matches from Monday 31 July up to and including the final across BBC Television, iPlayer, Sounds and the BBC Sport website.

BBC Radio 5 Live will have coverage of key matches, with commentary of selected games on 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra, including opening weekend fixtures, England v Malawi and England v Scotland.

The BBC has been integral to the growth of the game, broadcasting live Netball as part of its Commonwealth Games coverage since 1998, and also covering the Netball World Cup 2019 from Liverpool, which saw New Zealand win the final against Australia in dramatic fashion.

This year’s tournament will see England and Scotland go up against each other in Pool B, alongside additional home nation representation with Wales in Pool C.

Barbara Slater, Director BBC Sport says: “We are delighted to be showcasing the Netball World Cup 2023 free to air across the BBC. As a big supporter of women’s sport, we want to bring it to the widest audience possible. With great home nation representation, we’re hoping for plenty of drama and memorable matches.”

World Netball CEO Clare Briegal added: “It is very exciting to be announcing that the BBC will be showing all the action, from day four onwards, of the Netball World Cup 2023.

“For our pinnacle event to be broadcast free-to-air across the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle Of Man is so important on our journey to grow and inspire, enabling the Netball World Cup to reach a wider audience, the fans of the Roses, Thistles and Feathers to follow their team and inspiring more people to get involved in netball.

“We have no doubt that this will be a world-class thrilling event, and we can’t wait to see and hear the fantastic coverage across the BBC. Thank you to the BBC for their continued support.”