Scottish Greens lead call for Scotland football matches to be on free-to-view TV

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Streaming the match on YouTube is a step up from being locked behind a pricey paywall, but it still doesn't compare to being able to watch it live on regular television for free.

As the Scotland men's team prepares to take on Croatia tonight at Hampden Park, fans who can’t make it to the game will find little satisfaction as they search through TV listings. The crucial Nations League match will be available to watch exclusively on YouTube once again.

The Nations League is an important competition that is connected to the qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It may provide the Scotland Men's Team with an opportunity to qualify for their first World Cup in nearly three decades.

Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay has been advocating for making all Scottish international matches available on free-to-air television so that more fans can cheer on their team.

There is good reason to feel hopeful, as Ian Murray, the new Secretary of State for Scotland, has expressed his backing for reaching an agreement to obtain broadcast rights for free-to-air television.

Especially during times like these, a lot of fans can't be there to watch the games in person. Our national teams represent all of us, and I want every Scotland supporter to have the easiest access possible to watch matches like the one happening tonight.

“By showing matches on TV at no cost, we can motivate young fans to support their team and aspire to play at Hampden. How can we expect kids to want to emulate our players if they don’t have the chance to watch them in action?”

Streaming the match on YouTube is better than having it locked behind an expensive paywall, but it still doesn't compare to watching it live on free-to-air television. Many people lack internet access, and others may not feel at ease using online platforms.

"When Scotland's matches are available to watch for free, they turn into significant events for families all over the country. Although our performance at the Euro Championships may not have met expectations, the games succeeded in uniting people, including many who wouldn't typically watch or identify as fans, all supporting the team together. We lose that chance for connection when we create obstacles to viewing."

The Secretary of State for Scotland has previously shown his backing for a resolution. I am hopeful that he will collaborate with the Scottish Football Association and television networks to guarantee that Scotland's football games are consistently available on free channels. This way, a larger audience can watch and cheer for our national team alongside the Tartan Army.