RTÉ Scales Back Coverage of UEFA Nations League Matches

RTÉ will scale back its coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming UEFA Nations League double-header against Israel, stripping the broadcast down to the bare contractual minimum.

Ireland face Israel in Debrecen, Hungary on 27 September in what is officially the ‘away’ fixture, before the return ‘home’ game on 4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia.

RTÉ is obligated under its rights deal to show both matches. It will do so, but without the usual bells and whistles. There will be no studio show, no familiar RTÉ commentary team, and no pundits offering analysis before or after the action.

Commentary will instead come directly from the international feed, with RTÉ opting not to deploy one of its own commentators. Only a minimal technical crew will travel or be assigned to ensure the pictures go to air.

RTÉ has also confirmed it will not take any advertising or sponsorship around either game.

The broadcaster will still cover the fixtures and the surrounding issues in its news output. The matches will be shown, the obligations met — but the usual match-night spectacle on Irish television will be noticeably absent.