beIN secures ‘landmark’ rights deal with the AFC

beIN Media Group has agreed a ‘landmark’ long-term deal in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region with the Asian Football Confederation.

The deal will cover the next three AFC cycles until 2023. beIN will have exclusive rights to  AFC competitions in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. 

The broadcaster will have non-exclusive rights in Chad, Djibouti, Mauritania, Somalia and Sudan.

For the 2025-2028 and 2029-2032 cycles, beIN has exclusive rights to all AFC competitions across 17 countries of MENA and non-exclusive rights in 6 countries of MENA.

This is a major extension to a partnership that was first formed in 2010, with beIN Sports showcasing the rights on four dedicated AFC channels. 

Yousef Al-Obaidly, group CEO of beIN Media Group, said: “We are delighted to enter this long-term partnership with the Asian Football Confederation up to 2032. It is a hugely significant deal for beIN and our business, showing our complete commitment both to premium rights and to the long-term. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 later this year is simply the beginning of our plans at beIN, and this deal is just one proof-point of that.

“The AFC rights add to our unparalleled suite of major sports and entertainment rights within our portfolio over the coming decade. This new deal continues to firmly establish beIN as the home of sport and entertainment in MENA – both now and for decades to come. We look forward to being a trusted partner of Asian football across the entire region.”

AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John, said: “The AFC is delighted to enter into this significant partnership with beIN, who have been loyal partners of the Asian game since 2010. This long-term deal underlines not only the ever-growing stature of the AFC’s world class competitions but also the confidence top broadcasters have in the future of Asian football; and for decades beIN has simply been best-in-class in this region.

 “MENA is home to some of the most ardent supporters of Asian football and we are pleased to be able to grow the consumption of AFC football with the hundreds of millions of passionate fans across the MENA region.”