Watch British Final free on Saturday

Live speedway returns to free-to-air television on Saturday when the newly-named Cab Direct British Final at Belle Vue is screened by ITV4 and streamed on ITVX.

British Speedway has concluded arrangements with ITV for the live broadcast of the showpiece major event at the National Speedway Stadium, Manchester .

And in a further boost, long time Championship backers Cab Direct signed to become title sponsors of the meeting which will feature Grand Prix star Robert Lambert defending the title.

Lambert clinched his second British crown last year at the same venue in a deciding race widely regarded as one of the best in the history of the sport. He overcame former champions Charles Wright, Dan Bewley and Chris Harris in a remarkable four way, four lap battle which went right down to the wire.

Seven riders former winners race alongside some of the sport’s top rising talent including 16-year-old Cooper Rushen and 17-year-old home favourite Will Cairns.

The return to ITV platforms will evoke memories of televised speedway coverage on the World of Sport programme which ran until 1985 and showed highlights from all the top international meetings in addition to screening the 1985 world final from Bradford live.

Nowadays, ITV4 is the main linear television outlet for ITV Sport, with motorsport playing a key role in its output. It has become the established home of the British Touring Car Championship, is the free-to-air broadcast partner of the FIA Formula E series, and also shows Saturday night EFL highlights programme featuring action from all three Football League divisions.

ITVX is the streaming service operated by ITV, containing exclusive content in addition to that which is broadcast free-to-air.

Securing the backing of the UK’s leading taxi supplier, Cab Direct, is yet more positive news for the event.

Cab Direct has been title sponsors of the Championship league since 2023, adding the KO Cup competition under its MAXiCab brand.

Peter Facenna, Managing Director of Cab Direct, said: “We’ve been proud supporters of British Speedway for several years through our sponsorship of the Cab Direct Championship, so it’s fantastic to see the British Final return to free-to-air television.

“ITV coverage will help showcase the speed, skill and excitement of the sport to a wider audience and inspire a new generation of fans.

“Speedway has deep roots in communities across the UK, and we’re proud to support an event that celebrates the very best of British Speedway.”

Premiership CEO Phil Morris said: “I’m delighted we can once again bring speedway to free-to-air television, and especially for such a big event as the British Final.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in putting this all together, and especially Cab Direct for coming on board as title sponsors.

“We plan to make the event a real spectacle, and that will be the case for everyone attending on the night as well as those watching on ITV.

“We know we can expect a night of top-class racing with so much at stake for the riders on a superb circuit which always produces thrilling action.

“Even by Belle Vue’s standards the Final last year was extraordinary, but we hope this year’s event will be just as memorable, and to have it on free-to-air television with ITV is fantastic news for the sport.”

Live coverage from Belle Vue on Saturday August 15 will get underway at 7pm with the meeting parade, with the opening race at 7.15pm.

1 Anders Rowe, 2 Cooper Rushen, 3 Craig Cook, 4 Robert Lambert, 5 Adam Ellis, 6 Drew Kemp, 7 Will Cairns, 8 Dan Thompson, 9 Jason Edwards, 10 Danny King, 11 Charles Wright, 12 Dan Bewley, 13 Jody Scott, 14 Leon Flint, 15 Chris Harris, 16 Tom Brennan. Reserves: 17 Jake Mulford, 18 Ace Pijper.