Sky Sports and Cricket South Africa have agreed an extension to their long-standing partnership that will see Sky Sports and NOW exclusively broadcast a busy international schedule from South Africa in the 2026/27 season, the two organisations said on Wednesday.
England tour headlines winter schedule
The agreement includes England Men’s tour to South Africa, featuring a three-Test series across December and January, followed by a three-match ODI series in January. The Test tour will be England’s first in South Africa in seven years and marks Stephen Fleming’s first series in charge as England Men’s Test head coach, the announcement said.
The England fixtures carry added context: they form part of the teams’ preparations for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2027, which will be staged across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November next year. While the deal was negotiated by Cricket South Africa’s international media rights partner, IMG, it also continues Sky’s three-decade history of broadcasting cricket from South Africa.
Broad slate of international tours
Sky Sports will also televise other tours that make up a packed international calendar from South Africa. The Australian Men’s tour was due to begin on Thursday 24 September with the first of three ODIs in Durban, followed by three Tests. The schedule will then continue through to April with tours involving Bangladesh, India Women and Australia Women, the statement said.
| Tour | Format | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| England Men | 3 Tests, 3 ODIs | December–January |
| Australia Men | 3 ODIs, 3 Tests | Starting 24 September (ODIs), Tests to follow |
| Bangladesh, India Women, Australia Women | International series | Through to April |
What this means for South African cricket fans
The deal cements Sky Sports’ position as a major international broadcaster of South African cricket, adding to its existing portfolio of rights in the UK and Ireland. Sky has shown cricket from South Africa for more than 30 years and, according to the announcement, has broadcast every England Men’s Test series in the country during that period.
For supporters at home, the agreement means continued international exposure of South Africa’s fixtures to overseas audiences, and for the domestic game it preserves a steady overseas broadcast relationship that can help drive sponsorship and touring revenues. The timing of England’s tour, directly ahead of the 2027 World Cup in the region, should also provide competitive preparation for all teams involved.
- Sky Sports and NOW will be the exclusive UK and Ireland broadcasters for the 2026/27 international tours staged in South Africa.
- England will play a three-Test series across December and January, followed by three ODIs in January.
- The Australian Men’s tour begins with three ODIs in Durban from 24 September, followed by three Tests; further tours run through to April.
The new deal reinforces an existing international media relationship negotiated by IMG and underscores the continuing demand for South African cricket across global broadcast markets. With the ICC World Cup scheduled to be hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027, the coming international season represents both a promotional opportunity and a high-stakes period of preparation for teams converging on South African venues.
For South African cricket followers who savour the nuances of Test preparation and the shorter formats alike, the 2026/27 season now has the commercial and broadcast architecture to deliver those contests to a wide international audience.
