Dubai: Emirates has announced that it will screen every match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 onboard its flights, allowing passengers to follow the tournament live throughout its duration.
The airline confirmed that coverage will run from the opening ceremony in Mexico through to the final in the United States on 19 July. Matches will be broadcast via Emirates’ dedicated live sports channel, Sport 24, available on its inflight entertainment system, ice.
The initiative ensures passengers can follow one of the world’s most widely watched sporting events while travelling, with live coverage available at cruising altitude.
Live football onboard
Through Sport 24 on ice, Emirates will offer the full schedule of matches, enabling fans to watch every moment of the tournament in real time. The airline said the service is designed to bring together passengers from different countries and enhance the travel experience by delivering major global events live.
To help passengers plan their viewing, the full broadcast schedule is included in the June edition of the ice magazine.
Live TV channels, including Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra, are available on most Emirates flights, although availability may vary depending on aircraft type and route.
Lounges and additional coverage
Where possible, FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will also be shown in Emirates lounges in Dubai, extending the viewing experience beyond the aircraft.
In addition to football coverage, Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra will broadcast a range of major sporting events in June and July. These include the NBA Finals from 4 to 20 June, the Canada Sail Grand Prix on 20–21 June, the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix on 19 July, and the Hungarian Grand Prix on 26 July.
The move reflects Emirates’ ongoing focus on enhancing inflight entertainment by providing customers with access to live global sporting events during their journey.