AFC announces media rights partnership with APL in Australia
The partnership covers all AFC club competitions from 2021-2024
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today announced that the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has acquired the rights to the AFC’s club competitions for the rights cycle 2021-2024, via its partnership with 10 ViacomCBS.
The APL’s exclusive deal covers the AFC Champions LeagueTM, the AFC CupTM and the AFC Futsal Club ChampionshipTM Finals.
The APL manages the operations and promotion of professional football in Australia including all major A-League men’s and women’s competitions, as well as the A-League Youth and the E-League (e-sports). This partnership will enable extensive coverage of the AFC’s club competitions, including all matches of Australian club teams on 10, 10 Bold and Paramount+.
Datuk Seri Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, said: “The AFC is delighted to enter into this partnership with the Australian Professional Leagues to broadcast the AFC’s world-class club competitions in Australia.
“The AFC has outlined its ambitions to ensure football remains the Continent’s number one sport and this agreement with the APL will further strengthen the popularity of our club competitions and grow the passion for the Asian game among Australia’s passionate fanbase.”
Ant Hearne, Chief Commercial Officer at Australian Professional Leagues (APL), commented: “We’re proud to work in partnership with 10 ViacomCBS and the AFC to bring even more football to Australia. There is an increasing appetite for top quality international football and this partnership enables our fans to experience some of the best in the region.”
Patrick Murphy, Board Member and CEO at Football Marketing Asia, said: “We are very pleased to welcome the APL to the AFC family of partners. Since its inception, the APL has embarked on an ambitious journey to drive fan engagement with club football in Australia, and we are delighted that the AFC club competitions form an integral part of their vision.
“We are confident that the APL and its broadcast partner will strengthen the presence of high-quality Asian club football in Australia, and look forward to this exciting partnership.”
About the AFC
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of Asian football and one of the six Confederations making up FIFA. Established in 1954, the AFC is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and comprises 47 Member Associations. The AFC organises the AFC Asian CupTM and the AFC Women’s Asian CupTM, which are the flagship Continental national team competitions, while the AFC Champions LeagueTM is the premier competition for Asian clubs, drawing millions of fans to the beautiful game across the length and breadth of the Continent and beyond.
About Football Marketing Asia
Football Marketing Asia (FMA) is the exclusive commercial partner of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the rights cycles 2021-2024 and 2025-2028 (excluding (i) Japan in the case of media and certain sponsorship rights; and (ii) MENA in the case of media rights). FMA is headquartered in Hong Kong S.A.R., with offices in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and China PR. FMA combines unparalleled global football experience with in-depth Asian know-how and expertise.
To learn more, please visit www.FootballMarketingAsia.com
About Australian Professional Leagues (APL)
The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) is a live action and digital sports entertainment business that holds the exclusive and perpetual right to operate, market and commercialise the top tier professional domestic football competitions in Australia. Known collectively as the A-Leagues, they are made up of – A-League Men, A-League Women, A-League Youth and the E-League. APL’s vision is to unite Australian Football, establishing it as the most entertaining and popular sport by 2030.
From 2021, the newly re-branded men’s and women’s competitions (brought under the A-Leagues brand to reflect football’s young, inclusive and forward-looking audience) will be shown on the 10 Network and on its sibling, the new-to-market Paramount+ streaming service.