British fans may not get access to watch La Liga as no buyer bids for TV rights

No UK-based company has tabled a suitable bid to show La Liga matches next season following a buying process.

The news means that the Spanish top flight, which kick-offs on 16 August, is not currently scheduled to be shown on TV across the United Kingdom or Ireland.

Offers were due by 25 July but the league has stated that no company had submitted a satisfactory bid, meaning that access to games for British-based viewers remains up in the air.

“After assessing all bids and required additional documentation from participating bidders, La Liga has declared the tender null and void because no satisfactory bids were received,” Joris Evers, head of communications for the league, said in a written response to a question.

“La Liga thanks all participants in the tender for their interest and shall inform soon about next steps.”

Sky Sports had been the long-term home of Spanish football in the UK but lost the rights last summer, when Eleven Sports signed a three-year contract.

However, the subscription-based online service failed to gain enough members by December, meaning that the rights were auctioned once more this season.