Croky Cup Matches to Air Free on Television Under New RTBF Agreement

Football supporters in Belgium will be able to watch the Croky Cup free of charge from the 1/16th finals through to the final, following a broadcasting agreement secured by French-language public broadcaster RTBF. The deal differs from the previous season, when streaming platform DAZN held the rights and broadcast matches exclusively through its app, leaving only the final available on open-net television.

RTBF Will Broadcast Croky Cup Matches

The 1/16th finals of the Croky Cup are scheduled for the weekend of October 16. Pro League CEO Lorin Parys expressed satisfaction with the agreement, stating that the competition deserves to reach the widest possible audience. Under the arrangement with RTBF, supporters can follow matches across both digital platforms and linear television.

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RTBF sportchef Benoît Delhauteur outlined the broadcaster’s strategy to focus on local football narratives. According to Delhauteur, the primary priority is following the paths of Walloon and Brussels clubs, allowing the audience to engage with teams they readily identify with. The broadcaster is currently discussing collaborative efforts and editorial exchanges with local media outlets to support that coverage.

Weekend Slots Return for Knockout Fixtures

A lighter competition calendar has allowed both the 1/16th finals and the eighth finals to return to weekend slots, a scheduling adjustment intended to restore traditional cup atmosphere. Delhauteur highlighted the enduring appeal of the tournament’s knockout format, describing it as a classic contest between underdogs and favorites that regularly produces unexpected stories.

The draw for the upcoming round has already produced several high-profile fixtures. Beerschot will face Anderlecht, while the schedule features two all-Walloon matchups: Mons against Charleroi, and La Louvière meeting RFC Liège. Exact match days and kickoff times for the 1/16th finals are scheduled to be announced on Wednesday, September 30.

Flemish Broadcasting Rights

While RTBF provides free-to-air coverage in the French-speaking regions, broadcasting access in Flanders follows a different structure. Play Sports, the sports channel operated by telecom provider Telenet, holds the exclusive rights to broadcast the Croky Cup from the 1/16th finals onward for the next four years. Viewers in Flanders will only have access to the final on open-net television via Play, with all earlier rounds reserved for Play Sports subscribers.