The TV picks for the UEFA Euro 2024 group stage confirmed how coverage would once again be shared between the BBC and ITV, giving UK viewers free-to-air access to every match of the tournament. As in previous competitions, both broadcasters split fixtures using a draft-style selection process, where each takes turns choosing the games they believe will attract the biggest audiences.

ITV secured the opening match of the tournament, broadcasting Germany vs Scotland, setting the tone for their coverage from the very first night. Meanwhile, the BBC selected key early fixtures, including England’s opening group games against Serbia and Denmark, ensuring strong viewing figures across both channels.

England matches are always the biggest prize in these selections, and as expected, they were split between the two broadcasters. While the BBC took the first two group games, ITV secured England’s final group match against Slovenia — a fixture that could prove decisive depending on qualification scenarios.

Beyond the home nations, both BBC and ITV carefully selected matches involving Europe’s biggest teams, including France, Spain, Germany, and Portugal. The aim is to balance audience appeal, tournament narrative, and scheduling, ensuring each broadcaster gets a fair share of high-profile clashes.

The selection process itself has often been described as highly strategic, with broadcasters effectively “drafting” matches in turn, sometimes prioritising potential knockout implications even during the group stage.

For viewers, the result is simple: every game of Euro 2024 is available free-to-air in the UK, split between BBC and ITV, with streaming also available via BBC iPlayer and ITVX. It’s a system that continues to deliver wide access while maintaining a competitive edge between the two broadcasters.

UK TV Schedule 2024 European Championship

14 June: Germany v Scotland (20:00 BST) – ITV

15 June: Hungary v Switzerland (14:00) – ITV

15 June: Spain v Croatia (17:00) – ITV

15 June: Italy v Albania (20:00) – BBC

16 June: Play-off A winners* v Netherlands (14:00) – BBC

16 June: Slovenia v Denmark (17:00) – ITV

16 June: Serbia v England (20:00) – BBC

17 June: Romania v play-off B winners** (14:00) – BBC

17 June: Belgium v Slovakia (17:00) – ITV

17 June: Austria v France (20:00) – ITV

18 June: Turkey v play-off C winners*** (17:00) – BBC

18 June: Portugal v Czech Republic (20:00) – BBC

19 June: Croatia v Albania (14:00) – ITV

19 June: Germany v Hungary (17:00) -BBC

19 June: Scotland v Switzerland (20:00) – BBC

20 June: Denmark v England (17:00) – BBC

21 June: Slovakia v play-off B winners (14:00) BBC

21 June: Play-off C winners v Czech Republic (14:00) – BBC

21 June: Play-off A winners v Austria (17:00) – ITV

21 June: Netherlands v France (20:00) – BBC

22 June: Turkey v Portugal (17:00) – ITV

22 June: Belgium v Romania (20:00) – ITV

23 June: Switzerland v Germany (20:00) – BBC

23 June: Scotland v Hungary (20:00) – BBC

24 June: Netherlands v Austria (17:00) – BBC

24 June: Albania v Spain (20:00) – BBC

24 June: Croatia v Italy (20:00) – BBC

25 June: France v play-off A winners (17:00) – BBC

25 June: England v Slovenia (20:00) – ITV

25 June: Denmark v Serbia (20:00) – ITV

26 June: Slovakia v Romania (17:00) BBC

26 June: Play-off B winners v Belgium (17:00) – BBC

26 June: Play-off C winners v Portugal (20:00) – ITV

26 June: Czech Republic v Turkey (20:00) – ITV