Global soccer's governing body, FIFA, has reportedly been unsuccessful in selling the broadcast rights to the inaugural edition of its women's club competition, the Champions Cup. The Guardian reports that this four-team event is scheduled for late January and early February.
FIFA opted not to run a tender process but instead targeted specific potential broadcast partners in several key markets. Despite these efforts, there are no confirmed buyers for the broadcasting rights as of now. This lack of interest is surprising given that this is the first-ever Champions Cup with only four matches scheduled - two semi-finals, a third-place playoff, and then the final.
The teams participating include Arsenal from WSL (winners of last season's UEFA Women's Champions League), Gotham FC from North America's NWSL, Chinese side Wuhan Jiangda and Brazil’s Corinthians.
Lack of interest from UK broadcasters
In addition to global disinterest, neither BBC nor Sky Sports – both broadcast partners for domestic Women’s Super League competition – have shown any particular interest in this mini-tournament. However, it should be noted that an eleventh-hour deal could still be possible as was seen when FIFA sold worldwide rights to DAZN for the inaugural men’s Club World Cup at a late stage.
Other major streaming platforms such as Disney+ which holds UEFA Women’s Champions League rights on various continents could also potentially step up as broadcasters.
Despite current setbacks with selling broadcasting rights for this tournament, FIFA plans on launching a full Women’s Club World Cup in 2028 which will take place every four years while slimmed-down versions like this year’s Champion Cups will fill up other years within each cycle.
BBC to air 'Battle Of The Sexes'
While FIFA struggles with their sales process elsewhere in women sports' broadcast right deals world; BBC has announced that it will air the 'Battle of the Sexes' exhibition tennis clash between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka, live. This match aims to revive a concept intermittently realized over the last 50 years and is scheduled for December 28 at the indoor, hardcourt, Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
The event is organized by Evolve promoter which manages both Kyrgios and Sabalenka. It's worth noting that BBC also holds domestic rights for Wimbledon grass grand-slam tournament through 2027.
While FIFA faces challenges in selling broadcast rights for its inaugural Women’s Champions Cup, there are still potential avenues open such as late-stage deals or interest from major streaming platforms. Meanwhile, other women's sports events like 'Battle of The Sexes' continue to secure broadcasting deals with major networks like BBC.
