TNT Sports secures exclusive UK rights for 2023 FIFA Club World Cup
TNT Sports, the prominent UK pay-TV channel under the Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella, has successfully acquired broadcasting rights for the highly anticipated 2023 FIFA Club World Cup set to unfold in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In a comprehensive agreement, TNT Sports, in collaboration with the Discovery+ streaming service, will showcase every match of the seven-team tournament throughout the UK and Ireland.
The coverage kicks off with the clash between Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad and OFC Champions League victors Auckland City on December 12 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, while the tournament culminates in the final on December 22.
Among the notable participating teams are English Premier League titans Manchester City, representing Europe as the UEFA Champions League winners from the previous season. They will be joined by formidable competitors such as Copa Libertadores victors Fluminense, AFC Champions League champions Urawa Red Diamonds, CAF Champions League conquerors Al-Ahly and Concacaf Champions League winners Club Leon.
Real Madrid extended its record to five FIFA Club World Cup titles in 2022, defeating Saudi club Al-Hilal in the final in Morocco.
7 Clubs, thousands of fans and one Cup. 🏆🤩
FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023™️ from 12-22 December in Jeddah!#WelcomeTheChampions | #ClubWC pic.twitter.com/ujoaic6FBN
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 5, 2023
TNT Sports continues to bolster its football portfolio with these exclusive rights, complementing its recent acquisition of domestic rights for the Premier League from the 2024-25 to 2028-29 seasons, announced alongside rival broadcaster Sky earlier this month. The network already holds broadcasting rights for prestigious tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and has expanded its coverage to women’s soccer through a significant sub-licensing deal with global streaming platform DAZN.
TNT Sports airs extensive coverage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and features one live match per week from three top-tier women’s leagues across Europe: Division 1 Arkema in France, Liga F in Spain and the Frauen Bundesliga in Germany.
This move follows the recent announcement by Italian news outlet Cronache Di Spogliatoio, detailing an exclusive broadcasting deal for the FIFA Club World Cup to be streamed live on YouTube. Additionally, Globo, the heavyweight Brazilian broadcaster, has extended its coverage of the tournament, building on its prior success in broadcasting the knockout competition that brings together the winners of continental club soccer competitions. Globo’s coverage expanded as Brazilian side Fluminense secured their entry into the prestigious annual event.
