UEFA secures €975m Spanish rights deal

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UEFA has confirmed an exclusive deal with Spanish telephone company Telefónica for the rights to leagues including the Champions League and Europa League.

UEFA has confirmed an exclusive deal with Spanish telephone company Telefónica for the rights to a number of leagues including the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

The deal, valued at €975m, runs for three years and begins from the 2021/2022 season. The matches will be available on the Movistar+ platform owned by Telefónica.

Movistar now have the broadcasting rights to all of the main European competitions for Spain and Andorra. The deal also gives Movistar the rights to show these matches in public places such as cafes restaurants and hotels.

“UEFA is delighted to be continuing the distribution of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Youth League in Spain with Telefónica, as well as the new European club competition, the UEFA Europa Conference League,” Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA Events SA Marketing Director said.

“This partnership ensures the competitions will continue to receive comprehensive exposure, through the delivery of innovative coverage to football fans in Spain.”

Currently Mediapro is the broadcast partner of UEFA, however Mediapro sublicenses the contract to Telefónica, allowing it to be broadcast on Movistar+. The new deal is directly between the UEFA and Telefónica.

“This agreement with UEFA is an important step in Movistar’s strategy linked to the world of sport,” Emilio Gayo, Executive President of Telefónica España said.

“Our Movistar+ platform continues to work after three decades to continue making football accessible in our country. A specialized team, the quality of everything surrounding the competition and differential production values are our hallmark.

“With Movistar, our client will always have the best sport and the latest technology to guarantee an added value entertainment experience, beyond the broadcasts”.

The UEFA Champions League will resume on August 7. The draws for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final for this year’s Champions League will be held on Friday in Switzerland.

Atalanta, Atlético Madrid, RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain have qualified for the quarter-finals. Chelsea / Bayern München, Napoli / Barcelona, Real Madrid / Manchester City and Olympique Lyon / Juventus are yet to finish their Round of 16 matches.

This latest Spanish rights deal comes after Telefónica locked in a new €300 million sublicensing agreement that will see rival Orange broadcast La Liga and Champions League games for the upcoming 2020/21 campaign.

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Shepparton Cup – Victoria’s biggest junior football tournament – set for 2026 edition

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Image Credits: Shepparton Cup

Victoria’s largest junior football tournament is set to kick off in style as the Shepparton Cup returns for 2026. With age groups from under-sevens through to under-17s, the Shepparton Cup welcomes players of all genders and abilities as the perfect way to end the 2026 club season.

The tournament kicks off on the 23rd of October with an Olympic-style opening ceremony. The 2025 edition saw 385 teams and 4,600 players take to the pitch across both Liga and Copa Divisions. The Liga Division is for grassroots teams of all abilities who want a fun competitive experience; the Liga Division is for NPL and state league teams who will compete in a competitive carnival.

Rolando Navas, Managing Director of Sports Group Melbourne, says the tournament is not only beneficial for young players but also for the community of Shepparton.

“The Shepparton Cup is a great opportunity for families and the wider Shepparton community to embrace the regional community and provide a platform for young players to participate and experience a competitive and fun three day festival of football.”

The 2026 Shepparton Cup will be held from 23rd to 25th October 2026 at Shepparton Sports City. For more information about the Shepparton Cup, click the link here.

Australian Sports Group reveals ambitious blueprint for Canberra United

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Image Credits: Canberra United

New Canberra United owners, Australian Sports Group, have outlined an ambitious investment blueprint for the future of the club.

The plans centre around strengthening the club’s foundations, establishing elite academy pathways, and the introduction of an A-League Men’s team. More broadly, it aims to create a stronger football ecosystem that connects players, clubs and communities across the Australian Capital Territory.

A key pillar of the strategy is the development of an elite academy. The proposed pathways will create opportunities for emerging talent to progress towards professional football, strengthening the connection between grassroots participation and the elite game. The academy would form an important foundation for the proposed A-League Men’s team. ASG are targeting an entry into the Men’s competition from 2028/29, pending required process.

The introduction of a men’s team would expand the club’s professional offering and create additional opportunities for players, coaches and football staff. It would also give local talent a clearer pathway towards senior football without having to leave the region.

Infrastructure investment is another central component of the blueprint. The group plans to improve football facilities and secure a long-term home for the club. These developments would support the women’s program while laying the groundwork for future expansion.

The strategy also prioritises stronger engagement across the ACT football community. The ownership group plans to work with local stakeholders and government to align the club’s growth with broader priorities for sport and community development.

The immediate focus remains on stabilising the women’s program and building the structures needed for long-term success. This approach provides a foundation for the club to expand its operations while maintaining its existing identity and community connections.

The investment blueprint signals a broader ambition for Canberra United. By combining elite player development, improved infrastructure and the potential introduction of a men’s team, the group aims to establish a sustainable professional football model for the capital. The vision positions Canberra United as a platform for growth across the region, with a pathway to connect grassroots participation, academy development and professional competition.

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