SNS GroupBT Sport is to make the Rangers v Eintracht Frankfurt Europa League final available to watch free-to-air on YouTube.
The broadcaster holds the rights to all UEFA competitions and the Ibrox club’s run to a first European final in 14 years has only been available to watch for subscribers.
The decision has now been taken to make the final, along with the showpiece finals of the Europa Conference League and Champions League, available for free on BT Sport’s YouTube channel or on the company’s website.
Jamie Hindhaugh, head of BT Sport, said: “It has been another hugely entertaining season of football across all three UEFA club competitions, highlighted by British clubs making two of the finals once again.
“We’re delighted to round these European campaigns off by making the live action from all three finals available for anyone to watch for free on the BT Sport website, app or YouTube channel.”
Rangers take on the Bundesliga side in Seville’s Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium on Wednesday, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team aiming to cap a long run in the competition with a historic trophy success.
The match kicks off at 8pm UK time.
Tens of thousands of Rangers fans are expected to travel to Seville next week, with the club only having been allocated 9,500 tickets.
Rangers announced on Friday that the match will be screened at the city’s Cartuja stadium, where Celtic played in the 2003 final, for supporters without tickets to gather and watch together.
However, the club also confirmed that it was unable to arrange a similar ‘beamback’ for Ibrox Stadium, stating that the safety staff required for such an event would all be in Spain.
A club statement read: “Rangers are aware supporters are travelling to Seville in large numbers. We have worked to ensure supporters with, and without tickets have the opportunity to experience this momentous occasion. We know our fans will have a great time, enjoy the beautiful city of Seville, and act as worthy ambassadors of Rangers Football Club as we celebrate our 150th anniversary year.
“After dialogue with UEFA, Spanish Police and the local authorities, we can confirm the organisation of a fan viewing area in the Estadio La Cartuja, for those supporters without tickets. Further details will be released by the Stadium Manager in the coming days.
“There will also be a fan meeting point in Alameda de Hércules for those supporters with a ticket for the final. There will be no public viewing of the game in the fan zone area. More information will be provided in the coming days.
“We would like to thank UEFA, Spanish Police and the local authorities for their co-operation so far.
“Unfortunately, Rangers will not be able to provide a matchday screening at Ibrox stadium.
“Whilst we understand the wish for supporters to be able to gather at our home for this momentous occasion, the club does not have sufficient staffing resources to be able to host such a large event due to the number of qualified staff and personnel required to travel to Spain to assist in the safe delivery of the final. We could not safely operate an event of this size without the presence of our safety team, all of whom are required in Spain.
“Given the significant UEFA regulatory demands, we are required to deploy our full safety team in Seville, given the anticipated travelling support. This was not an easy decision but it is vital we ensure the safety of the team, management and travelling support in Spain.
“We acknowledge and understand the disappointment and frustration of non-travelling supporters, but there was no safe way of delivering a matchday screening.”
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