Dear Hockey Community,
Today, I’m delighted to announce that every England, Scotland and Wales match at this summer’s FIH Hockey World Cup will be available live and free on Channel 4 Sport YouTube.
This is a huge opportunity for hockey.
At a time when many Olympic sports, and the recent Commonwealth Games, are finding it harder than ever to secure free-to-view coverage, Channel 4 has backed our sport. They’ve invested because they believe hockey deserves to be seen by more people.
Now we need the hockey family to help and to show them they were right.
Two years ago, you answered a similar call when the Olympic Qualifiers were broadcast on BBC Sport. The response from our community helped open the door to what followed – two seasons of free-to-view England internationals on Channel 4 Sport YouTube.
Now we have another opportunity: the the FIH Hockey World Cup lasts just two weeks, but what we achieve together could shape the future of hockey on television for years to come.
Today, our England internationals regularly attract between 12,000 and 15,000 live views. We know that consistently reaching more than 50,000 would fundamentally change the conversation about hockey’s future on television. That isn’t a challenge for England Hockey alone. It’s a challenge for our entire community. If we can get there together, we’ll have demonstrated beyond doubt that hockey can attract national television audiences.
Every time you press play, you’re casting a vote for hockey on national television.
So here’s my challenge to you all:
Don’t just watch, encourage others to watch, talk about the the World Cup, shout about it on social media, share every fixture. Send the links to teammates, friends and family. Encourage someone who’s never watched hockey before to tune in.
Let’s show Channel 4 they were right to back hockey. Let’s build the strongest case we’ve ever had for putting hockey back on national television.
Making the game more visible is critical for the future of the sport at all levels. We are a collective bound by our love for hockey. We need to come together with the common aim of safeguarding the future of the game by giving it the platform it deserves.
What better way could there be to spend pre-season?
Best wishes,
Rich
Where to Watch
England, Scotland and Wales matches: Live and free on Channel 4 Sport YouTube
Wales matches (Welsh commentary): Live on S4C
Scotland matches (Scottish Gaelic commentary): Live on BBC ALBA
All other World Cup matches: FIH Watch.Hockey with a subscription
Pool Matches
Date
Match
Time (BST)
Venue
15 Aug 2026
Scotland Women v Germany
10.30
Belfius Arena, Wavre
15 Aug 2026
Wales Men v India
12:00
Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen
15 Aug 2026
England Men vs Pakistan
18:00
Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen
16 Aug 2026
England Women vs South Africa
9:00
Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen
17 Aug 2026
Scotland Women v USA
10:00
Belfius Arena, Wavre
17 Aug 2026
Wales Men v Pakistan
11:30
Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen
17 Aug 2026
India vs England Men
14:00
Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen
18 Aug 2026
England Women vs China
11:30
Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen
19 Aug 2026
Argentina v Scotland Women
10:00
Belfius Arena, Wavre
19 Aug 2026
England Men vs Wales
11:30
Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen
20 Aug 2026
India vs England Women
14:00
Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen
