DAZN, the global over-the-top sports subscription video streaming service, has announced a landmark four-year deal for the global broadcast of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL), starting with the upcoming season.
For the first two seasons of the deal, 2021-22 and 2022-23, all 61 UWCL matches in a season will be available on demand via DAZN as well as for free on its YouTube channel. The deal will cover all regions across the globe, except China and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
For the two seasons after that, 2023-24 and 2024-25, all 61 UWCL matches will be available via DAZN, while 19 matches will be available for free on its YouTube channel.
This agreement marks the first centralised deal UEFA has made for its flagship women’s club football tournament.
Talking about the deal, UEFA president Aleksander ?eferin said:
“Two years ago, when we launched UEFA’s first ever women’s football strategy, ‘Time for Action’, we promised action that will lead to a greater, more professional and more prosperous game by 2024. Several initiatives have since followed and this summer is a giant leap in that direction.
“We are delighted to announce the start of a four-year global partnership with DAZN and YouTube. For the first two seasons, fans around the world can access and watch for free all matches, enabling fans to follow the competition and the very best players in the world. There is no better way to inspire future generations of young girls and boys to play football. Women’s football is here to stay and will only grow stronger.”
Nadine Kessler, UEFA chief of women’s football, added:
“This deal is a first for women’s football as this partnership between UEFA and DAZN and YouTube will make sure that the UEFA Women’s Champions League can be seen by the fans, by all the people who love this game, wherever they are on the globe.
“Such visibility changes everything, as the best female players and best women’s teams in the world can inspire more young girls and boys to fall in love with this sport. Together, we are all bringing women’s football to the world and everyone who will tune in will truly make a difference to something bigger.”
DAZN Group’s co-chief executive, James Rushton, said:
“DAZN was founded with a vision of making premium sports more accessible, and what’s more accessible than centralised rights for the first time and all matches free on YouTube? Overnight, this will make the best women’s football easier to watch around the world than ever before.
“Along the way, we look forward to elevating live broadcast production, extending existing DAZN content franchises, and unveiling new shows that showcase the breadth and brilliance of women’s football.”
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