NextGen Series takes step forward with Eurosport deal
04 Sep 2012
The fledgling NextGen Series has secured a major boost with the announcement of a four-year broadcast deal with Eurosport.
NextGen’s partnership with the pan-European broadcaster will see a minimum of 18 games televised live over the course of the 2012-13 season, including group stages, play-offs, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. NextGen is a European club tournament showcasing football’s future stars. Having formed in August 2011, the series has expanded from 16 to 24 clubs this season with Eurosport set to make Tottenham Hotspur’s clash against FC Barcelona its first live match on September 13. The likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are also competing in the competition, won last year by Internazionale.
“This deal will now enable millions of fans from across Europe to watch the next generation of footballing stars compete live for the NextGen trophy,” said NextGen chief executive Marcus Keane. “This is a great step forward for the tournament and we are delighted to have signed with such a major broadcaster.”
Julien Bergeaud, director of broadcasting and programmes for the Eurosport Group, added: “The NextGen Series is an exciting property added to our international youth football offering. We have broadcast the best FIFA and UEFA national team youth competitions for many years and now we have the best youth offer for clubs. We look forward to bringing the next generation of world-class footballers to our viewers in Europe.”
