LiveScore Group, the sports scores and streaming services provider, has acquired exclusive rights to show soccer’s FIFA Club World Cup free-to-air in Ireland.
Users in the country will be able to watch the international men's club competition via the LiveScore app and website.
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The deal was brokered on behalf of LiveScore by Saran Media Group, the Turkey-based agency which assists the company in negotiating and acquiring rights.
The agreement follows LiveScore’s existing rights deal within Ireland to live-stream all matches from Europe’s elite UEFA Champions League for free on its platforms until 2024.
The Club World Cup is contested by winners of the major continental club competitions around the world.
This year’s edition, which begins today in Morocco and runs until February 11, will be played out by Flamengo (Conmebol), Real Madrid (UEFA), Al-Hilal (AFC), Wydad Casablanca (CAF), Seattle Sounders FC (CONCACAF), Auckland City (OFC), and Al Ahly (host nation representative).
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By GlobalDataSaran itself recently secured rights to the tournament in 16 countries across Europe and Asia, including its home market.
Rights deals were also struck this month with Sky in Italy, Canal Plus in France, and Globo in Brazil.
FIFA is making major efforts to grow the Club World Cup, with its president Gianni Infantino recently announcing that the competition will be expanded to 32 teams in 2025 and be played as an end-of-season tournament in the summer.
Ric Leask, marketing director at LiveScore, said: “We believe fans should have access to the biggest football matches and events, without having to pay extortionate prices, especially in the current economic climate.
“We are thrilled to be bringing more football to fans in Ireland through our free-to-air model. The reception from fans in the region to our Champions League broadcasts has been hugely positive and we’re excited to build on this success by adding the FIFA Club World Cup to our offering.”
Image: Tan Jun/Getty Images
