Sky Sports records impressive ratings for Scotland's Euro 2020 qualification

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 1d

A peak of 2.6 million watched Scotland qualify for Euro 2020 last week, according to provisional BARB ratings data.

A peak of 2.6 million viewers tuned in to see Scotland's dramatic qualification for Euro 2020 last Thursday night, according to provisional ratings data.

The home nation qualified for the tournament - rescheduled to summer 2021 due to coronavirus - courtesy of a penalty-shootout victory over Serbia in Belgrade.

Sky decided to make the clash free-to-air for customers around the UK on Pick, as well as simulcasting it in HD on Sky One, resulting in a combined average of 1.48 million tuning in across Sky Sports Football, Pick and Sky One.

The peak of 2.6 million came at 10.20pm during the tense shootout and as Aleksandar Mitrovic's miss sealed the win, some 63% of all TV viewers in Scotland were watching.

Northern Ireland's unsuccessful attempt to qualify by taking on Slovakia was also made free to view on Challenge, drawing a combined audience of 257,000 and a peak of 563,000.

"This was a night of unforgettable memories for Scottish football fans – and we are delighted to have shared the game with a large audience," said Sky CEO Stephen van Rooyen.

"Making the Scotland and Northern Ireland matches free to air was the right thing to do – we are proud to support football and football fans in these unprecedented, challenging times."

With England and Wales having already qualified last year, three of the four home nations will now be represented at Euro 2020, which is scheduled to take place across multiple countries in Europe next June and July.