P&O Cruises and Cunard to Air All 2026 World Cup Matches
England and Scotland World Cup matches and the Wimbledon finals are slated for larger venues such as SkyDome on P&O Cruises and The Pavilion on Cunard.
P&O Cruises and Cunard will screen every FIFA World Cup 26 match across their combined 11-ship fleet between June 11 and July 19, 2026. The Carnival UK brands will also carry Wimbledon from its June 29 start and The Open Championship live through an expanded agreement with IMG, using Sport 24 Special Event Channels.
The full World Cup schedule runs to 104 matches. The 2026 World Cup will be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico with 48 teams competing.
“The FIFA World Cup is an iconic global event, and adding Wimbledon and The Open Championship makes this an extraordinary summer of sport at sea,” said Paul Ludlow, Carnival UK & P&O Cruises president.
Fleetwide coverage and onboard venues
The arrangement covers P&O Cruises’ seven ships and Cunard’s four-ship fleet. Guests will be able to watch in their cabins or staterooms, as well as in public venues including Brodie’s bar on P&O Cruises ships and the Golden Lion pub on Cunard vessels.
Selected fixtures will move to larger onboard spaces. England and Scotland World Cup matches, along with the Wimbledon finals, are scheduled for venues such as SkyDome on P&O Cruises and The Pavilion on Cunard.
Ludlow said the broadcasts are intended for guests sailing itineraries including Mediterranean cruises, Norwegian fjord voyages and shorter cruises closer to home.
The broadcasts will run on Sport 24, a live sports platform serving airlines and cruise lines. IMG commercial director Kate Garden said IMG was supporting the two brands in delivering an “exceptional viewing experience” built around the three events.
Other cruise lines are also carrying World Cup matches
The P&O Cruises and Cunard agreement sits alongside other confirmed shipboard World Cup plans for 2026. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have confirmed onboard match coverage, while Ambassador Cruise Line has secured rights to show every match on Ambience and Ambition through Sport 24 Special Event Channels.
MSC Cruises plans to show matches across its fleet, including on MSC World Europa and MSC World America, with screenings in venues such as sports bars, casinos, poolside LED screens and lounges. Celestyal will carry matches on both of its ships, with venue details and timings set ship by ship through daily programmes.
Within Carnival Corporation, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises have also scheduled World Cup coverage. Holland America Line plans stateroom viewing through Sport 24, with selected marquee matches in larger venues on some ships, while Princess will offer in-cabin viewing and selected Lido Deck screenings across its 17 ships.
The companies did not disclose financial terms for the expanded IMG agreement.
