The SWPL has announced the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League matches selected for broadcast up until the winter break.
With 11 games selected, following 18 games in the first 10 rounds, this figure represents a record number of broadcast matches being shown before the winter break.
Sky Sports will broadcast the first Old Firm meeting of the season as Celtic host Rangers at the Excelsior Stadium. In the SWPL last season, a Kirsty Howat goal was enough to give Rangers victory at the same venue back in May. It was a result that opened the title race even further after a dramatic 1-1 draw at Broadwood in March. Both sides know that a win, even at this early stage, could have a huge impact on the final league table.
BBC ALBA have selected a total of four games starting with Glasgow City v Rangers on Sunday 19 November. The first meeting of the sides ended 1-1 in a close match at the Broadwood Stadium as Mia McAuley’s opener was cancelled out just minutes later by Brenna Lovera for Glasgow City. Three points separate the sides currently with Rangers having played one game more.
The following Sunday BBC ALBA will broadcast Spartans against Hibernian, a match which ended dramatically with Hibernian making it 2-2 in the dying moments back in August. They will then show Hibernian at home to Glasgow City before their final broadcast before the break between Heart of Midlothian and Celtic.
BBC Sport Scotland will live stream a total of six matches, including the Edinburgh derby at Easter Road on Saturday 18 November. Hibernian took the bragging rights at Tynecastle with a 1-0 victory in front of the highest SWPL crowd this season, so Heart of Midlothian will be out for revenge in Leith.
Fiona McIntyre, SWPL Managing Director, said: “We’re pleased to announce this further round of broadcast matches, across our three broadcast partners. Once again, this represents a record number of games being shown and is a sign of the continued growth of the SWPL.
“This week is the Scottish Government’s Girls’ and Women in Sport week and across women’s sport, visibility and delivering role models are key components of ensuring we encourage participation and inspire future generations to be active and healthy. It is therefore incredibly satisfying to deliver a record number of matches live via our broadcast partners throughout the winter months, to ensure the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League is available to view across the UK.
“After such a dramatic 2022/23 campaign, we find ourselves with another very competitive season. That is recognised by broadcasters and fans alike with more games being shown live and more spectators than ever attending matches in the early months of the season . I have no doubt that the SWPL will continue to deliver entertainment as we approach the winter break with more games to come in 2024.”
Gary Hughes, Director of Football, Sky Sports, said: “We’re pleased to be bringing Sky Sports viewers what could be a pivotal game this early in the season in the form of the first Old Firm derby of the season and look forward to continuing our coverage of the SWPL.”
Fiona Mackenzie, BBC ALBA Sport Executive Producer, said: “BBC ALBA are delighted to be looking ahead at a winter packed with action from the SWPL. We are proud to be a part of the growth of the women’s game, and look forward to more entertainment from this next round of matches.
Douglas McNeil, BBC Sport Producer, said:“With lots of exciting matches coming up it’s been difficult to select which games to stream live on BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport website. We have six fantastic matches to look forward to including the Edinburgh Derby at Easter Road which will be a must-watch.
“The Sportscene SWPL highlights show with Jane Lewis on BBC Scotland will also continue to show the best of all the action from across the SWPL showcasing the drama at the top and bottom of the league.”
The games selected across Sky Sports, BBC ALBA, and BBC Sport Scotland are as follows:
| Date | Match | Broadcaster | Kick-off |
| Sunday 22 October | Celtic v Rangers | Sky Sports | 12pm |
| Sunday 22 October | Hearts v Motherwell | BBC Sport Scotland | 3pm |
| Sunday 5 November | Hearts v Glasgow City | BBC Sport Scotland | 3pm |
| Saturday 18 November | Hibernian v Hearts | BBC Sport Scotland | 2pm |
| Sunday 19 November | Glasgow City v Rangers | BBC ALBA | 2.10pm |
| Sunday 26 November | Spartans v Hibernian | BBC ALBA | 4.10pm |
| Sunday 26 November | Celtic v Aberdeen | BBC Sport Scotland | TBC |
| Sunday 10 December | Hibernian v Glasgow City | BBC ALBA | 4.10pm |
| Sunday 10 December | Motherwell v Rangers | BBC Sport Scotland | TBC |
| Sunday 17 December | Hearts v Celtic | BBC ALBA | 4.10pm |
| Sunday 17 December | Glasgow City v Partick Thistle | BBC Sport Scotland | TBC |
