Nine’s streaming service Stan is continuing its expansion into sport, after securing the exclusive broadcast rights to every match of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League and UEFA Youth League, alongside rights to the UEFA Super Cup, for the next three seasons.
Stan Sport kicked off earlier this year after the streaming service secured the rights to broadcast Super Rugby and other major rugby union fixtures. It has also since added tennis, including the current Wimbledon tournament, to the offering.
The addition of the Champions League will see Stan Sport now competing with the likes of Kayo, Optus Sport and most recently Paramout+ to secure the viewership of Australian football fans.
Stan Acting Chief Executive Officer Martin Kugeler said: “Today’s multi-year partnership announcement with UEFA reflects Stan’s commitment to bringing premium sports to Australian fans. Since Stan Sport launched in February, we have been delighted with the way Australians have taken up the service. The addition of the UEFA Club Competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, represents a unique strategic opportunity that will continue the momentum for Stan Sport and aligns directly with the Nine group sports strategy.
“Featuring the most outstanding players in the sport, the UEFA Club Competitions bring together the best clubs for more than 400 matches of world-class football. We can’t wait to showcase the most prestigious club football tournaments in the world and we thank UEFA for its trust in Stan to deliver their iconic football products to Australia.”
UEFA Marketing Director Guy-Laurent Epstein said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Stan in Australia. Stan has strong ambitions in the world of sport, and as a sports-loving nation, Australian football fans will benefit from Stan’s world class broadcast and production capabilities throughout the 2021-24 cycle.”
Stan Sport’s exclusive UEFA coverage will begin with the 2021-22 UEFA Super Cup match between 2020-21 UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea and Villarreal, winners of the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League – kicking off on Thursday, 12 August (AEST), with Stan Sport’s live broadcast time to be announced.
