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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Bundesliga DNA to the Boardroom: German-born Martin Kugeler Takes the Helm at Football Australia

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Image Credit: Stan

German-born executive, Martin Kugeler, shaped by Europe’s football culture and based in Australia since 2009, will step in as Football Australia CEO in February as the game eyes a defining 2026.

Reaching new heights

During the press conference held earlier this morning, Kugeler displayed both confidence and ambition as he prepares to lead a new era for Football Australia next month.

“Football in Australia has a strong foundation for growth. Our national impact is massive,” he said, highlighting both the immense number of participants and local clubs in Australia. He then continued to underline both the Socceroos and the Matildas as valuable assets in the nation’s football sphere.

“We have exceptional national teams that continually make us proud. They perform at a truly global scale and unite not only the football community, but the entire nation.”

With both the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the FIFA Men’s World Cup both on the horizon in 2026, the year certainly represents a huge opportunity for both the men’s and women’s game to showcase Australian footballing talent on an international scale. But the focus, as Krugeler underlined, will extend beyond the national team and address all levels of football in Australia to help the game grow.

“Football brings people and communities together. For a healthy lifestyle, for connection, for enjoyment, for belonging, powered by a remarkable, passion [and] dedicated players, referees, coaches, volunteers and fans,” he continued.

An inspiring reminder to all those involved in the game across Australia, and one which will hopefully show participants and stakeholders at all levels that 2026 will begin a new period of stability, growth and innovation.

 

Expertise, passion and ambition

Of course, the dawn of a new era for Football Australia cannot be successfully achieved without addressing the past and current issues, while still keeping an ambitious eye on what football can become at both national and international level for Australia.

Alongside Kugeler in the FA leadership team will be Football Australia Chair, Anter Isaac, as well as former Matilda, and current interim CEO of Football Australia, Heather Garriock. With their combined industry expertise and true passion for the game, all fans, players and stakeholders can be optimistic for the future of football governance in Australia.

But while expertise and passion are undoubtedly valuable assets for the FA, it remains essential that these help to inform the decisions and solutions made with the game’s best interests at heart.

 

 

 

 

Heidelberg United strengthens ties with Melbourne City Toyota

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Heidelberg United FC

It was announced via social media on Tuesday this week that Melbourne City Toyota would be extending their longstanding collaboration with Heidelberg United FC ahead of the 2026 season. 

 

A longstanding connection

The news of a collaboration between Heidelberg United and Melbourne City Toyota will come as no surprise to all those associated with the club. With a connection going all the way back to 2013, their professional relationship is built on solid foundations rooted within the Melbourne community. 

‘Heidelberg United FC is pleased to announce the continued support of our valued partner, Melbourne City Toyota, a proud sponsor since the inception of the NPL,’ the club said via an announcement made on social media. 

With a strong presence across several locations in Melbourne, including Heidelberg itself, Melbourne City Toyota represents an invaluable source of local support for Heidelberg United. 

 

An exciting project 

Since their first collaboration when the NPL first formed in 2013, Melbourne City Toyota have been an ever-present part of Heidelberg United’s journey to becoming one of the most formidable clubs in the NPL. 

In the past three seasons, the club has consistently risen up the NPLM VIC table. A mere two years on from finishing 9th in 2023, the men’s team achieved huge success last season as they became NPLM Victoria champions and reached the final of the Australian Cup. Although the latter ended in defeat, victories against A-League giants like Auckland FC showcased Heidelberg’s quality. 

The women’s team has also enjoyed plenty of success since joining the NPLW in 2016. Most notably, they achieved back-to-back Premiership titles in 2024 and 2025. With such success being showcased in both the NPLM and NPLW, there are certainly no question marks over Heidelberg United’s standing as one of the most exciting footballing projects not only in Victoria, but in all Australia.

 

New chapter, old partners

As clubs continue their preparations for the 2026 season, establishing local support and building community connections will be crucial. ‘The Bergers’ will no doubt be looking to count on the backing of Melbourne City Toyota as both a local and loyal partner in their endeavours on and off the pitch. 

 

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