August 19 – The Asian Football Confederation has expanded its broadcast rights deals in Japan with global streaming channel DAZN taking rights to all national team and club competitions, while free-to-air channel TV Asahi will broadcast national team games.
DAZN’s package covers the upcoming cycles in 2021-2024 and 2025 to 2028. The rights include the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar, the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 and the AFC U23 Asian Cup Finals 2022 and 2024. DAZN had already agreed a package of Asian Champions League rights.
TV Asahi will broadcast Japan’s home matches in the AFC Asian Qualifiers for Qatar 2022 as well as selected AFC Asian Cup China 2023 fixtures, which Japan has already qualified for.
AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said: “The AFC is delighted to reiterate our continued partnership with DAZN, and we are confident that DAZN will bring the AFC’s competitions closer to the millions of Japanese football fans in a nation that has a proven track record of success in Asian football, both on and off the pitch.
“We are also pleased to continue our partnership with TV Asahi who have been loyal supporters of Asian football over the years. Through this agreement, more fans of Japanese football will have unprecedented access to Japan’s matches, which bodes well for the AFC and Asian football.”
DAZN will have the rights to broadcast 14 AFC competitions per rights cycle.
James Rushton, DAZN Group co-CEO added: “We are honoured to have signed a contract with the AFC for the next eight years. When combined with our long-term partnership with J.League and following our recent commitment to broadcasting the WE League, this further demonstrates our commitment to Japanese football at all levels.
“We recognise our responsibility to invest in football and ensure that the national team remains accessible so we will collaborate with the AFC to create a shared vision. We’re excited to showcase the incredible talent, flair and passion associated with Japanese men’s and women’s football to inspire both existing and the next generation of fans starting with the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar – and the launch of the WE League in September.”
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