April 24 – FIFA has secured a crucial broadcasting agreement for one of its key TV markets as Channel 5 reached a sublicensing deal with global rights holder DAZN to broadcast the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) this summer in the United Kingdom.
Channel 5 will show 23 of the 63 matches, including 15 group games, four round of 16 matches, two quarter-finals, one semi-final, and the final. The remaining matches will be available exclusively on the DAZN platform and free globally via the DAZN app.
This agreement represents a significant achievement for Channel 5, potentially becoming the highest-profile sports event in the network’s broadcasting history. While the channel previously held UEFA Europa League rights, this marks a substantial advancement in its sports programming portfolio.
DAZN acquired the global Club World Cup rights for $1billion (£787million) in February after receiving substantial funding from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). Following this investment, FIFA announced a $1billion prize fund for the tournament.
Prior to DAZN’s involvement as the global broadcast partner, FIFA struggled to secure media coverage for the competition. Apple TV had shown interest but withdrew after baulking over FIFA’s valuation of the tournament – which was set at around $4billion.
With traditional UK broadcasters ITV and BBC focusing on the Women’s European Championships, the competition came down to Channel 4 and Channel 5, with Paramount’s President of International Sales, Lee Sears, finalising the deal for the latter.
“We’re delighted to have agreed this fantastic partnership with DAZN to expand free-to-air coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup, live on 5,” Sears told The Guardian.
“It’s going to be one of the sporting events of the summer with most of the matches played in the evening peak time and 32 of the world’s biggest clubs involved.” Sears added that the ambition was to offer viewers and advertisers “even more [sport] in the months to come.”
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1745495100labto1745495100ofdlr1745495100owedi1745495100sni@r1745495100etsbe1745495100w.kci1745495100n1745495100