ITV's Transatlantic Move for World Cup 2026 Coverage
In a significant strategic move ahead of the 2026 World Cup, ITV Sport has secured a major advantage over its broadcasting rival the BBC by establishing its primary studio in Brooklyn, New York. The broadcaster will base all its tournament coverage from this location, which offers spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge, creating a visually striking backdrop for viewers.
BBC's UK-Based Approach
Meanwhile, the BBC has confirmed its team will remain in Salford until at least the quarter-final stages of the tournament. This decision stems from a combination of financial considerations and environmental commitments, with the corporation actively working to limit air travel and reduce its carbon footprint. The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams and 104 matches, coupled with the tournament's staging across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has significantly increased logistical complexities and costs, influencing the BBC's broadcasting strategy.
ITV's Enhanced Coverage Plans
ITV plans to fully leverage its New York location by producing travelogues and mini-documentaries to complement its live match coverage. The broadcaster has assembled an impressive lineup of pundits including Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Ian Wright, who will be stationed in the United States throughout the tournament. Presenters Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods will front ITV's coverage from the Brooklyn studio.
The BBC's presentation team will feature Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Kelly Cates operating from their Salford base. In a separate broadcasting policy decision, the BBC has confirmed it will not fund pundits who choose to work for rival podcasts during the World Cup period.
Broadcasting Rights and Match Allocation
Under the current agreement between the broadcasters:
- ITV will show 51 matches compared to the BBC's 54
- ITV has secured England's opening game against Croatia in Dallas on 17th June
- ITV will broadcast England's final group match against Panama
- Scotland's fixture against Morocco on 19th June will air on ITV
- ITV holds three quarter-finals, including the first two picks
- The BBC has first pick of the semi-finals
- Both broadcasters will show the final
Should England progress, the BBC will broadcast their matches in the last 32 and last 16 stages of the tournament.
Historical Viewing Patterns
The broadcasting rivalry between ITV and the BBC has historically favoured the latter during head-to-head coverage. During the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, the BBC achieved a peak audience of 15 million viewers compared to ITV's 4.3 million. However, ITV demonstrates strong viewing figures when acting as sole broadcaster, with a peak of 10.2 million viewers watching England's Women's Euro 2025 semi-final victory over Italy last summer, representing their biggest audience of the year at that point.
This transatlantic broadcasting divide represents one of the most significant differences in approach between the two networks for a major football tournament in recent years, setting the stage for an intriguing ratings battle during the 2026 World Cup.
