BBC ALBA again commits to free-to-air Arnold Clark Premierships matches

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 14: Corstorphine players celebrate at full time after winning the trophy during the Arnold Clark Women's Premiership Final between Corstophine Cougars and Stirling County at Union Park, on December 14, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

BBC ALBA will again deliver live and free-to-air coverage of the top domestic rugby competitions in Scotland, with 12 league matches televised throughout the season.

These matches will also be available live and on-demand via BBC iPlayer and for the first time on the BBC ALBA YouTube channel, and a dedicated BBC rugby page, with the games available worldwide.

Scottish Rugby’s YouTube channel will pick up a further two Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership league matches in the first half of the season.

Two Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership league matches will be broadcast live by BBC ALBA, with a further three matches, including the final, set for the screen after the league splits into the top four and bottom four.

Highlights will be available on Scottish Rugby’s YouTube channel and social media platforms.

Scottish Rugby’s partnership with BBC ALBA supports the growth of the domestic game, with broadcast numbers increasing across the season and increased performance on international fixtures.

The opening weekend of live televised games sees two highflyers in the previous women’s campaign, with Sarah Beaney Cup winners Watsonian FC hosting reigning league champions Corstorphine Cougars on Friday 29 August (kick-off 7.35pm).

That’s backed up a day later, on Scottish Rugby channels, when one and two on the 2024/25 season ladder, Ayr and Heriot’s meet at Goldenacre in Edinburgh for a round two fixture in the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership (kick-off 4.45pm).

BBC ALBA Commissioning Editor, Fiona MacKenzie said:

“We’re delighted to continue bringing the Arnold Clark Premierships to BBC ALBA through this renewed agreement with Scottish Rugby.

“Bringing both men’s and women’s rugby to as wide an audience as possible reflects our commitment to showcasing top-level sport and supporting the growth of the game at all levels.”

Scottish Rugby Director of Rugby Development, Gav Scott said:

“I’m thrilled about the way the team has gone about selecting the fixtures alongside BBC ALBA. I think we’ve ended up with a really fair spread across the board.

“Partnerships like this one with BBC ALBA are critical to exposing new audiences to grassroots rugby and to give a platform to our top performing community rugby players.”

The below matches have been confirmed in principle but are subject to change. Check the Scottish Rugby club fixtures page for specific dates and times.

Confirmed broadcast fixtures: 

• Friday 29 August, 7.35pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Watsonians v Corstorphine, Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership
• Saturday 30 August, 4.45pm KO live on Scottish Rugby YouTube, Heriot’s v Ayr, Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
• Friday 5 September, 7.35pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Hillhead Jordanhill v Biggar, Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership
• Saturday 20 September, 5.15pm KO live on Scottish Rugby YouTube, GHA v Glasgow Hawks, Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
• Friday 10 October, 7.35pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Hawick v Currie, Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
• Friday 24 October, 7.35pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership Split Fixture (TBC) 
• Friday 14 November, 7.35pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership Split Fixture (TBC) 
• Friday 28 November, 7.35pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Watsonians v Selkirk, Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
• Saturday 13 December, 4.10pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership Final 
• Friday 16 January 2026, 7.35pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Melrose v Selkirk, Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
• Friday 6 February 2026, 7.35pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Currie v Kelso, Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
• Friday 27 February 2026, 7.35pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Play-Off Semi-Final 1, Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
• Saturday 28 February 2026, 4.45pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Play-Off Semi-Final 2, Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
• Saturday 21 March 2026, 4.10pm KO live on BBC ALBA, Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership Final