Saran Media Group, the prominent Turkish media operation, has secured a deal with soccer’s world governing body FIFA for rights to the 2027 Women’s World Cup national team tournament in 24 European and Eurasian countries.
FIFA has appointed Saran as its exclusive media rights agency in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
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Saran will work with broadcasters in each market to provide coverage of the Women’s World Cup.
FIFA’s deal with the Turkish media group comes quickly after its 18-territory agreement with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the continent’s association of public-service broadcasters, for the tournament.
That agreement, conducted on behalf of 19 EBU members, will ensure free-to-air Women’s World Cup coverage across Czechia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Malta, Belgium, Spain, Slovakia, Iceland, Sweden, Ukraine, Denmark, Poland, and Finland.
Next year's tournament will take place in Brazil – the first time South America will host the tournament – between June 24 and July 27.
FIFA claims that the two major media rights agreements will provide the “highest level of broadcast coverage ever secured in Europe for a Women’s World Cup.”
The tie-ups will guarantee free-to-air access in more than 40 territories, with at least one match per day to be shown live.
Jill Ellis, FIFA chief football officer, said: “It is remarkable to see how the European broadcast market is embracing this historic edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup by committing to the most comprehensive coverage in the tournament’s history.
“We are seeing strong interest in, and clear recognition of, a world-class product, with TV rights revenue in the region set to be reinvested to accelerate the global growth of the women’s game.”
In addition to the EBU and Saran deals, FIFA has already awarded broadcasting rights in Europe to M6 in France, TV4/SVT in Sweden, and the BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom, with the organization stating that “negotiations are ongoing in a few remaining territories.”
A Women’s World Cup rights deal with state broadcaster Mediacorp in Singapore was also unveiled in early February.
According to FIFA, the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand engaged more than two billion fans across TV, digital, and social platforms.
