Cignal to air Filipinas' FIFA Women's World Cup 2033 matches for free

Can't book a flight to New Zealand to watch the Group A matches of the Philippine women's national football team (PWNFT)? Worry no more.

Cignal TV Inc. will air the matches of the PWNFT, nicknamed Filipinas, for free via One Sports on Channel 41. Cignal subscribers can also watch the games on Channel 6. Moreover, the fixtures are available in Pilipinas Live, Cignal's newest over-the-top (OTT) platform.

Consistent with public demand, Cignal acquired the broadcasting right of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup to take place in New Zealand and Australia starting Thursday, July 20.

Filipinas will make their World Cup debut in Down Under against Switzerland on July 21 at 1 p.m. before facing host New Zealand on July 25 at 1 p.m. and Norway on July 30 at 3 p.m.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano "Nonong" Araneta said the games' free TV showing was an 'exciting development' for the locals in the country.

"This is an exciting development for football fans in the Philippines with the Filipinas' matches in the FIFA Women's World Cup to be shown live on free television and other platforms of Cignal TV," Araneta said.

Meanwhile, MediaQuest Holdings Inc. and Cignal TV President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jane Jimenez Basas told the network just wants to provide the best football viewing experience for Filipinos.

"We recognized the demand Filipinos have for this quadrennial event and we at Cignal TV always want to be able to bring the best experience to all our viewers," Basas stated.

This good news just broke out days before the official kick-off of the global showpiece.

International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) warned of a total blackout due to low bids to broadcast the women's tournament games in contrast to its men's counterparts.

Thankfully, the issue has been addressed with the European Broadcasting Union agreeing to extend its current media rights partnership with FIFA.

Nonetheless, what a day to be a Filipino football fan.