UEFA Unveils New Streaming Platform

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has launched the free-to-air OTT streaming platform UEFA.tv to provide viewers with greater access to live and on-demand video content.

The service, the first of its kind for a football governing body, will offer original programming based on 60 years of European football archives. Eventually, it will also become the home of youth, women’s and futsal UEFA competitions with live coverage in relevant markets. Further, it will promote UEFA competitions via behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and a range of additional content. All of the video content will be available through a free-to-view registration that enables fans to watch live UEFA competition matches even in territories in which there is no rights-holder.

The Bundesliga will be the first national league to be represented on UEFA.tv. Per a new partnership between UEFA and the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL), there will be a separate channel on the platform with videos from the Bundesliga in addition to European competitions. Available at the launch, the service will include match highlights and such shows as Bundesliga Special. Archives of past Bundesliga matches and UEFA Champions League matches involving German teams will be featured as well.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said: “The digital landscape is evolving and we need to be in a position where we can anticipate and respond to these changes. UEFA is an innovative organization and by introducing this platform, we will be making football and our competitions more accessible to supporters around the world. Our partnership with the Bundesliga is yet another example of the unity of European football and clearly demonstrates our desire to address future opportunities together for the promotion of our sport.”

DFL CEO Christian Seifert added: “Media use is changing constantly. UEFA’s new streaming service is a very timely step to reach football fans around the world, especially younger target groups. The DFL has consistently backed and initiated technological and media innovations ever since it was founded. We are therefore delighted to be the first national league partner in this project, which will allow us to get even more people around the world excited about the Bundesliga in the future.”