TNT Sports, part of Warner Bros. Discovery, has confirmed it will broadcast the upcoming Asia Cup, providing exclusive UK coverage of all 19 matches in the men’s Twenty20 tournament.
The competition, staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28, features an expanded lineup of eight national teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Oman, and the UAE.
Coverage Details
Fans in the UK will be able to watch every game live across TNT Sports’ linear channels and on discovery+, including the streaming platform’s mobile app. This cross-platform approach ensures the tournament is accessible both to traditional pay-TV audiences and younger, digital-first viewers.
This year marks the first edition with eight teams, reflecting the Asian Cricket Council’s efforts to broaden the tournament’s competitive footprint.
Rights Strategy
TNT’s rights come via a sub-licensing deal with Sony Pictures Networks, which signed a seven-year agreement with the Asian Cricket Council in 2023. That contract includes the 2027 men’s Asia Cup and multiple editions of the women’s tournament, giving Sony—and by extension its sublicense partners like TNT—long-term leverage in Asian cricket broadcasting.
For TNT, this deal adds another international property to its portfolio, which already includes coverage of New Zealand Cricket, Cricket West Indies, and Cricket Australia. However, TNT still lacks UK domestic cricket rights, which remain firmly with Sky Sports. Sky also retains ICC tournament coverage, giving it dominance in global events.
A Growing Asset
The Asia Cup has steadily grown in commercial and sporting importance, especially given the participation of India and Pakistan—two of the world’s most-watched cricket nations. The UAE as host provides a neutral venue with strong infrastructure, while also appealing to South Asia’s large expatriate population.
The opening fixture sees Afghanistan face Hong Kong, setting the stage for a month of high-intensity cricket in a market hungry for international exposure.
