
Sports streaming platform DAZN have announced a new four-year global broadcasting partnership with YouTube which will see the UEFA Women’s Champions League taken to new heights from season 2021/22.
In a unique first for the competition, the deal will greatly increase exposure to women’s football as the UEFA Women’s Champions League introduces an inaugural 16-team group stage. For supporters, this will ensure unprecedented access to one of the fastest-growing football competitions around the world.
During the first two seasons (2021/22 and 2022/23), fans will be able to watch all 61 matches live and on demand from the group stage onward. This will be shown on DAZN, and free on their YouTube channel. For the following two seasons (2023/24 and 2024/25), all 61 matches will be shown live on DAZN, while 19 matches will be free to view on the YouTube channel.
The multi-year deal grants DAZN exclusive rights worldwide, with the exception of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – where rights include clips and highlights – as well as China.
The agreement signifies another game-changing move in UEFA’s and its partners’ global commitment to women’s sport. It is one of the largest broadcast deals in women’s club football history.
“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,” UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said.
“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.”
The partnership follows UEFA’s decision to create a new format for the Women’s Champions League, with the new group stage accompanied by centralised media and sponsorship rights, which will lead to a significant increase of revenues. This has built the foundation for the recently announced pioneering financial distribution model, where $38.7m will be spread throughout women’s football in Europe.
“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,” UEFA chief of women’s football Nadine Kessler said.
“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.”