The BBC has made a two-year deal to broadcast NFL matches, including the 50th Super Bowl in 2016. The deal, winning back the rights it lost to Channel 4 in 2013, includes live games and highlights coverage across TV, radio and online.

In recent months BBC has lost most Six Nations rugby to ITV, Open Championship golf to Sky and control of the destiny of Olympics coverage to Discovery.

“NFL has a growing fan base in the UK and I’m delighted that the BBC can bring it free-to-air for our audience,” said Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport.