June 18 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has partnered with global sports streaming giants DAZN as the exclusive media rights partner in Japan to broadcast the next eight seasons of Asia’s flagship club competition, the Champions League.
DAZN will start coverage this month with the group stage in the East Zone, with the agreement running through until 2028.
“With two Japanese clubs winning the most coveted Asian continental club title in the last four editions, Japan have proven to be a major force in the AFC Champions League,” said AFC general secretary Dato’ Windsor John.
“It is therefore crucial that we continue to provide our passionate fans in Japan with greater opportunities to support their teams through unprecedented coverage of the AFC Champions League and we thank DAZN for underlining their confidence and belief in the AFC’s brand and competitions.”
With the rights’ acquisition, DAZN are expanding their footprint in Japan. In 2020, the J League and the streaming giant extended their current domestic broadcasting contract by two years.
“Investment in Japanese football has been central to our group strategy since launching in 2016, and we’re 100% committed to enhancing the industry,” said vice-president DAZN Japan Martyn Jones.
“Through our partnership with J.League we’ve evolved the viewing experience for existing and the next generation of fans so the acquisition of the AFC Champions League is another major milestone. J.League and Japanese football is exciting, high quality and has numerous emerging superstars that we have the opportunity to follow domestically but now also on the journey to be the best in Asia. We have a common vision with the AFC and J.League to grow the game and underpin on pitch success at all levels.”
DAZN’s portfolio includes a vast range of broadcast rights, stretching from the UEFA Nations League to the FIFA Club World Cup in various territories, live and on demand.
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