Sportdigital confirmed as a media broadcaster for AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

Alex Bagdasarian17/11/2022 5:55 am17/11/2022

Image via Shutterstock

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has expanded its media collaboration with Sportdigital to showcase the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The current deal with AFC has shown live coverage of the U23 Asian Cup back in June and will cover the tournament again in 2024, as well as all the AFC men’s youth competitions, the AFC Cup and every game of the Futsal men’s national team competitions.

With the partnership now expanded, it will include AFC’s flagship men’s national team competition – AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.

Sportdigital FUSSBALL is the first pay channel for international live football games showing leagues from 22 competitions across six continents such as the CONCACAF Champions League, Primeira Liga in Portugal and CAF World Cup Qualifier.

Managing Director of Sportdigital Fussball, Gisbert Wundram, said in a statement:

“The passion for football is continually on the rise, so we are confident that the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 will be widely celebrated as a football spectacle, boasting world-class arenas with highly attractive teams and talents, we are very proud to be the only broadcaster of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in the German-speaking part of the world, providing comprehensive and exclusive coverage of this great competition.”

AFC General Secretary, Datuk Seri Windsor John, added via press release:

“Each edition of the AFC Asian Cup has reached new records in TV viewership and digital engagement and this partnership is yet another fine example of the ever-expanding stature of Asia’s crown jewel.”

Board Member and CEO at Football Marketing Asia, Patrick Murphy, said via press release:

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Sportdigital in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We look forward to working closely with Sportdigital to bring the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Asia’s premier men’s national team football competition to audiences in these territories through Sportdigital’s premium broadcast services.”

To find more information on Sportdigital FUSSBALL, click here.

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Community consultation opens for Ashburton’s Warner Reserve pavilion upgrade

Lorcan Marelich04/09/2026 10:00 am03/09/2026

Image Credit: City of Boroondara

Community consultation has opened on the proposed redevelopment of the Warner Reserve pavilion in Ashburton. Early planning is underway to modernise the facility and improve amenities for local sporting clubs and community users.

The city of Boroondara has received $80,000 in Victorian Government funding to prepare concept designs. They will undertake community consultation as part of planning for the proposed upgrade.

While construction is currently scheduled for the 2032-33 financial year, the project could be brought forward if additional funding is secured.

The proposed redevelopment would see existing pavilion replaced with a modern facility better positioned to service the reserve. Plans include two new changerooms with toilets and showers, a multipurpose community space with a kitchen and canteen, a first aid room, umpire facilities, an externally accessible public toilet and a covered spectator viewing area.

The proposed new look pavilion at Warner Reserve. Image Credit: City of Boroondara

The concept also allows for the future addition of two extra changerooms, should participation levels continue to grow.

As part of the proposal, the existing playground would be relocated to improve visibility and open space within the reserve. Six trees identified for removal would also be replaced with new plantings elsewhere in Warner Reserve.

Residents, sporting clubs and reserve users are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal before consultation closes on 15 September. Feedback will help refine the concept design before the project progresses to future planning and funding stages.

If delivered, the redevelopment is expected to improve facilities for local sporting clubs and community groups while providing more inclusive amenities to support growing participation across community sport.

SBS confirms exclusive Australian rights to 2030 FIFA World Cup

Oliver Van Bronswijk04/09/2026 8:00 am03/09/2026

Editorial credit: kovop

SBS has officially secured the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, meaning Australians will again be able to watch all 104 matches of the tournament live and free. The network will carry the tournament across television, video and radio and, as with 2026, all games will be streamed via SBS On Demand.

The agreement was confirmed on 1 September, and will see the long-running partnership between the broadcaster and FIFA extend to 44 years. SBS first broadcast the World Cup 1986, when Argentina won the tournament in Mexico.

SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said the World Cup remained central to the broadcaster’s role in Australian football, bringing Australians together across cultures, languages and communities.

The new deal follows a strong 2026 edition. More than 18 million Australians watched the coverage, while SBS also recorded more than 209 million hours of consumption across its World Cup content. Approximately 55 per cent of this consumption came via digital platforms. SBS offered full matches alongside shorter ‘mini match’ recaps through SBS On Demand.

First reporting that SBS and FIFA had extended their partnership emerged in July, although had remained unconfirmed until this point.

The latest announcement confirms that reporting. The earlier report also highlighted the importance of the deal for Australian football fans. SBS would retain a free-to-air pathway to every World Cup match. The deal also gives certainty around one of the biggest sporting properties in the world. This is particularly relevant as FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino come under increased pressure.

The 2022 edition saw FIFA increase its valuation over broadcast rights, with key markets such as China having a price tag of $349 million ($250 million USD) from the governing body. For Australian football, the significance goes beyond the tournament itself.

The World Cup remains one of the sport’s biggest drivers of mainstream attention. Keeping every match live and free gives Australian fans continued access to the competition without a subscription barrier.