BT Sport wins UEFA Football Deal (from ITV & Sky) worth £900m

BT Sport is the only place football fans can watch Champions and Europa League football from 2015/16 following a TV rights deal with UEFA worth £900m.

The deal brings a close to the relationship between UEFA, ITV and Sky Sports, which saw ITV air Champions League action since 1992, and Europa League coverage since 2005, while Sky Sports have aired the European Club Cup competition since 2003.

BT Sport has won rights to live, delayed and highlights coverage of both competitions and will be broadcast across BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN. Rights to highlights programmes have been awarded on a co-exclusive basis.

In addition, BT Sport will make certain matches available for free across both competitions throughout the season. As a result, football fans in every TV household in the UK will have access to these matches.

“UEFA is delighted to welcome newcomer BT Sport to the family of UEFA Champions League rights holders,” said Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA Events SA Marketing Director.

“Since its launch in the summer, BT Sport has been UEFA’s partner for the UEFA Europa League and has demonstrated its ability to deliver premium sports coverage. We look forward to working with BT Sport on both competitions in the 2015-18 rights cycle.”

Gavin Patterson, BT chief executive, added: “I am thrilled that BT Sport will be the only place where fans can enjoy all the live action from the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Both tournaments are world class and firm favourites with many. The live rights will give a major boost to BT Sport and give people yet another reason to take our terrific service.”

“BT Sport has got off to a strong start with customers enjoying what we have to offer. We have attracted millions of customers by giving sport back to the fans, and we can assure people who want to catch all the action, that European football will be far more accessible and affordable with BT.”

An announcement on the award of co-exclusive highlights rights in respect of both competitions will be made in due course.