The Football Association has announced a six-season overseas broadcast rights deal for the FA Cup, which will begin in the 2018-19 season.
The marketing agency Pitch International will cover rights for western Europe, Middle East and North Africa, with IMG covering the rest of the world. Both will then subcontract deals to broadcasters while domestic rights will remain with the BBC and BT Sport.
Martin Glenn, the FA chief executive, said the deal was “hugely significant”. The value of the overseas deal was undisclosed, but press reports in advance of the announcement claimed a figure worth around $1bn. The FA plans to use the money for more investment in pitches, facilities and participation programmes.
“It is not overstating it to say that it could have a transformational impact on what we are able to achieve across the country,” Glenn said.
“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.”
