Th
e international rights to the FA Cup have been sold for six seasons from 2018-19 in what the Football Association chief executive describing a “hugely significant” deal.
English football’s governing body has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pitch International to cover western Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and with IMG for the rest of the world.
It’s the first time the FA has used a tender process that allowed for agencies as well as broadcasters to bid on single territories, regional groupings or a global package of rights.
Financial terms of the agreements have not been released, but sources suggest it’s worth in the region of £820 million.
FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn said: “This is a hugely significant deal for The FA as a not-for-profit organisation. It means we will be able to invest even more than we currently do in pitches, facilities and participation programmes to make football available for all.
“It is not overstating it to say that it could have a transformational impact on what we are able to achieve across the country. It also underlines the global popularity of The Emirates FA Cup, with its history and tradition it has the remarkable ability to create fantastic stories and inspire fans, players and clubs to believe anything is possible.”
In April, the FA extend the agreement with BT and the BBC for shared coverage of the FA Cup until 2021.
