German pay-TV broadcaster Sportdigital has extended its partnership with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), securing exclusive TV rights until 2029.
The agreement represents the most comprehensive package of Asian football rights available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, according to Sportdigital. Financial details have not been disclosed.
The rights package comprises major AFC competitions such as the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA, the AFC Asian Cup 2027, to be hosted in Saudi Arabia, and the AFC Champions League Elite, showcasing the best club teams from across Asia. Additional coverage will include matches from the AFC Champions League Two, the AFC U23 Asian Cup in 2026 and 2028 and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
With the deal, pay-TV channel Sportdigital Fußball will be able to add some of the world’s most renowned footballers to its coverage. Global icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar are set to showcase their skills in the AFC Champions League Elite, along with Asian stars such as Heung-min Son (South Korea), Takefusa Kubo (Japan), Mehdi Taremi (Iran) and Jackson Irvine (Australia).
“The renewal of our partnership with the AFC for the next five years is fantastic news for us and for the many fans of AFC competitions on our channel. The diversity and scope of the AFC’s tournaments appeal to one of the largest and most relevant audiences globally, spanning the Middle East to the Pacific. We are thrilled to bring the quality of AFC’s top competitions to an expanding audience in the German-speaking region,” said Gisbert Wundram, Managing Director of Sportdigital.
Patrick Murphy, CEO of the Asia Football Group, added: “We thank Sportdigital for their collaboration and continued trust in AFC’s competitions, delivering world-class football and entertainment to their viewers. This extended partnership reflects the sustained growth and rising popularity of Asian football worldwide. We look forward to working with Sportdigital to provide exceptional programming for fans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.”
