The upcoming 2025 edition of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) has finally found a home on UK television. Free-to-air broadcaster Channel 5 has secured a rights package to air games from the tournament through a sublicensing deal with global streaming service DAZN.
Channel 5, owned by Paramount, will broadcast 23 of the total 63 fixtures from this year's expanded CWC. The tournament is set to take place in the US between June 14 and July 13. While Channel 5 will be airing selected matches, DAZN will stream all games globally as part of its $1 billion worldwide rights deal secured earlier this year.
Specifically, Channel Five's coverage includes fifteen group-stage games, four round-of-16 clashes, two quarter-finals, one semi-final and final itself. These matches will be available both on main Channel Five and its streaming service. Some fixtures are also set to be shown via sister channels - namely, *5USA* and *5ACTION*.
Filling a void in UK football coverage
This agreement comes as a relief for soccer's governing body FIFA which had been concerned about potential lack of coverage for its inaugural marquee clubs competition in the UK. Until now, no local broadcaster had been confirmed with less than two months until kick-off.
UK public-service broadcaster BBC and commercial broadcaster ITV had both opted not to bid for CWC matches rights due to their commitment towards covering UEFA Women's European Championship national teams tournament across June and July.
Lee Sears, president of international ad sales at Paramount, said:
"We’re delighted to be able to have agreed this fantastic partnership with DAZN to expand free-to-air coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup, live on 5. It’s going to be one of the sporting events of the summer with most of the matches played in the evening peak time and 32 of the world’s biggest clubs involved."
DAZN isn't currently considered one of the major sports broadcasting entities in the UK; hence it sought a sub-licensee partner like Channel Five to ensure substantial audiences for what FIFA considers premium soccer property.
Sub-licensing deals across other countries
In countries where DAZN is also a minor player, similar sublicensing deals have been struck. For instance, in the US, Warner Bros. Discovery and Spanish-language TelevisaUnivision have secured deals. Mediaset has done the same in Spain and Italy while MBC Group became a sub-licensing partner in Egypt earlier this year.
The DAZN-FIFA deal was announced ahead of Saudi Arabia's Surj Sports Investments revealing that it had acquired a minority stake in the streaming service for $1 billion - an amount equal to the total prize and appearance fund available from the event.
Channel 5 has previously covered second-tier Europa League European clubs competition and provided highlights for various properties. With this new deal, it will add to its soccer portfolio by featuring two English sides - Chelsea and current English Premier League champions Manchester City - during CWC coverage.
