Booking.com becomes UEFA Official Accommodation and Attractions Booking Partner

UEFA and Booking.com announced a four-year partnership for all UEFA national team football competitions from 2018 to 2022.

The deal includes ten competitions and more than 500 matches over the four years.

Booking.com will help football fans make the most of their football-inspired travels, offering a diverse range of over 1.4 million places to suit every accommodation and entertainment need.

EFA Events SA Marketing Director Guy-Laurent Epstein said about the new partnership: “We are excited to announce this groundbreaking partnership with Booking.com for UEFA’s national team competitions.”

“The way that people organise their travels has drastically changed over recent years ─ and in this fast-evolving environment, Booking.com has established itself as the market leader in online accommodation services, as well as one of the world’s strongest digital marketplaces.”

“This partnership will bring this experience to a different level, by helping fans to easily plan and organise their trips around what will be an incredible sporting and cultural event in 13 host cities across Europe.”

Pepijn Rijvers, chief marketing officer at Booking.com, added: “Nothing beats the adrenaline and excitement of watching your national team play live, whether you’re cheering them on in person in the stadium, or gathering together with your friends and family at home.

“We’re thrilled to be working together with UEFA for the next four years, as the partnership celebrates two things that we and our customers absolutely love– that’s football and travel.

“Together, we can inspire more people to take a trip to see their favourite team play and enjoy one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences for themselves.”

Sportradar brings CEV Champions League Volleyball across Asia and Africa

Sportradar, working on behalf of its partner European Confederation of Volleyball (CEV), has agreed to two deals which will see the CEV’s Champions League broadcasted within over 60 territories across Asia and Africa.

The deal brings the list of territories covered by the CEV-Sportradar partnership to 133 via over 20 client relationships.

Kwesé in Africa has expanded their previous relationship so a total of 49 countries will now be able to watch one of the top volleyball competitions in Europe.

The Asia multi-year deal was signed with Eurosport Asia and will deliver CEV Champions League volleyball coverage to Australia, as well as to territories such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, India and the Indian sub-Continent, as well as South Korea.

Sportradar Senior Director Media Rights Lutz Tigges said: “The CEV is a key part of our audiovisual rights offering worldwide and these two deals could not have come at a better time, with the industry heading to Monaco.

“In the wake of recent multi-territory deals with Sportklub and Digisport in Europe, these two further deals have enabled us to ensure that the number of passionate fans that the CEV will be able to get their premium competition in front of grows and grows.”

Sydney FC signs two-year partnership deal with The Star Sydney

Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC and The Star Sydney have signed an agreement for the five-star luxury hotel and entertainment complex to become the Sky Blues new principal partner.

The two-year deal will see The Star Sydney’s logo appear on the front of all Sydney FC’s shirts.

The Sky Blues will also bear the name on their Westfield FFA Cup shirts when they take part in their second consecutive FFA Cup Final next month.

Sydney FC Chairman Scott Barlow said: “I am delighted to be announcing this partnership and to be welcoming The Star Sydney into the Sky Blues family for the next two years.

“We are two of Sydney’s most iconic brands coming together. The Star and Sydney FC are companies dedicated to providing premium entertainment to all Sydneysiders.

“We believe it is a great fit and we’re excited by the opportunities it presents.”

The Star Managing Director Greg Hawkins said: “Sydney FC is an iconic Sydney brand and we are thrilled to be supporting the Sky Blues as principal partner.

“This partnership is an extension of our commitment to support the sporting and cultural spirit of Sydney as we continue to grow our position as Sydney’s premier destination for entertainment.”

The Sydney FC and The Star partnership begins immediately with the logo featuring on the club’s shirt in Saturday’s first Sydney Derby of the season against Western Sydney Wanderers.

ESPN, FourFourTwo and the Guardian agree commercial deal for 2018 FIFA World Cup

ESPN, FourFourTwo and the Guardian have announced a commercial partnership for the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia.

The deal will offer advertisers a new level of scale and reach to smart and engaged football fans during the tournament.

The media outlets will offer brands collaboration around a range of branded content solutions for partners that will live across all three platforms.The combined reach of the three platforms stands at 26.5 million unique users per month, of which 61% are in the key ABC1 demographic, according to Comscore.

The partnership will work with advertisers on a compelling bespoke campaign, which includes opportunities for video content, social, podcasts and live events.

Sam Coleman, ESPN advertising sales director, said: “To be able to bring together three of the biggest brands in football content and offer this service to our clients under one commercial and editorial partnership is hugely exciting.

“The commercial model of the future is far more collaboration-based in order to drive more meaningful results for marketers, so we are confident clients will be highly receptive to this exciting new partnership.”

Natasha Murray, director of client partnerships, Guardian News and Media said: “The Guardian’s football coverage is world-class and attracts a large and loyal following. We have pioneered the sports live blog and continue to deliver the best of cross-platform football content for our readers and advertisers.

“The World Cup is a fantastic opportunity to reach beyond our own platforms and collaborate with ESPN and FourFourTwo to maximise reach and impact for clients.”

Andy Jackson, global brand director of FourFourTwo said: “FourFourTwo’s mission has been consistent for the last 23 years – to celebrate the best in football with world-class content across our print, digital and social channels and we are always keen to collaborate with partners that can expand and enhance our offering.

“This partnership with the Guardian and ESPN does both and we’re very excited by the commercial and content opportunities it presents.”

npower joins Wasps and Ricoh Arena as Official Energy Partner

Wasps and npower announced a new partnership to further enhance the Ricoh Arena’s sustainable approach to energy, helping power sport, business and entertainment at the Arena.

Wasps will be generating their own electricity as well as creating heat for the stadium and the under pitch heating system, thanks to npower’s Combined Heat and Power plant.

The new partnership will see npower launch an exclusive tariff for Wasps rugby and netball fans, as well as visitors to the Ricoh Arena in 2018. Fans will also benefit from a series of exclusive customer offers, competitions and energy saving tips for their home and family.

Stuart Cain, commercial director of Wasps and the Ricoh Arena, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with npower. This is a powerful partnership for both the Club and Arena.

“npower’s technical expertise and infrastructure is a game changer in the way our Arena can power our three business drivers of sport, business and entertainment.

“npower shares Wasps’ values in the commitment to our local community and the new tariff offering will be an exciting addition for our fans. We are excited to be working with such a well-known brand and one that further enhances our growing family of blue-chip partners.”

Andy Wiggans, commercial and marketing director for npower, added: “We’re delighted to be joining the Wasps family in a partnership which will see us supply power and gas to the Ricoh Arena and partner on a number of ground-breaking energy saving measures.

“We’ll also be working alongside Wasps RFC and Netball to support the local community and give fans the chance to get even closer to their team. We can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Chelsea signs exclusive partnership with Sony Music

Chelsea Football Club today announced a new and exclusive partnership with Sony Music.

The agreement brings together the worlds of sport and music, featuring curated special playlists using input from Chelsea players.

Supporters can download the playlist here.

Chris Townsend OBE, Chelsea FC commercial director, said: “We are incredibly excited to join forces with Sony Music, one of the leading entertainment companies in the world.

“Combining some of the world’s most celebrated music artists and football stars will create innovative content and experiences for our global fan base, starting with an exciting competition for fans of football and music all over the world.”

Dusko Justic, vice president, international marketing, Sony Music International, added: “Both football and music are fuelled by passionate fans. That emotional pull makes the connection so satisfying.

“We want to combine the two and elevate the experience to new heights. Everyone here at Sony is incredibly proud and excited to work with Chelsea Football Club.”

Infront Sports & Media extends rights deal with German Ski Association

The German Ski Association (DSV)  Infront Sports & Media extended their partnership through to the 2025/26 season.

Infront, a Wanda Sports company, will remain the exclusive international media rights partner for all FIS World Cup events held in Germany for the next nine seasons.

The contract covers international media rights for all winter sports in the FIS calendar, including the popular Vierschanzentournee ski jumping events in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberstdorf and the Biathlon World Team Challenge Auf Schalke.

The DSV will continue to independently market media rights for the German market.


DSV Marketing Chief Executive Stefan Schwarzbach said: “The extended agreement with our reliable partner Infront sets the German Ski Association on a good course for the upcoming years.

“We are in the best possible position to continue developing our various disciplines and World Cup events successfully and with a future-orientated cross-federation strategy.

“Besides offering us economic planning security, the extended partnership with Infront also provides us with maximum flexibility to react in an appropriate and sustainable way to the various challenges of the elite sport as well as changes in media usage.”

Sydney FC supports Allianz Stadium rebuild

Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC have given their support to rebuild their home ground at Allianz Stadium and are calling for the government to prioritise it over other stadia in the greater Sydney network.

The Sky Blues are the largest tenants of the stadium and are keen for the precinct redevelopment to go ahead as soon as possible, for the benefit of their members and the wider Sydney sporting public.

Chairman Scott Barlow said: “Sydney FC is committed to Allianz Stadium and it will be our home for many years to come.

“As A-League Champions and one of the country’s fastest-growing sporting clubs, our fans and team deserve to play in a truly world-class sporting facility.

“In order to achieve this, Allianz Stadium must be rebuilt as a priority given its relative age compared with other stadiums in the network.”

Sydney FC plans the new stadium to be ready in time for the start of the Hyundai A-League 2020/21 season.

A survey of almost 200 Sydney FC members and fans conducted by the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust during Sunday’s first home fixture of the season against Wellington Phoenix, revealed 88% of Sky Blues supporters were in favour of the construction of a new facility.

The current Allianz Stadium is thirty years old.

Sydney FC is lobbying for the redevelopment to happen quickly to give clarity to the club’s players, staff, members, sponsors and fans going forward.

NBA and Kia extend partnership through multiyear agreement

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Kia Motors America, Inc. announced a new multiyear marketing partnership extension across the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League.

In addition to continuing to serve as the Official Automotive Partner across all three leagues, Kia will become more involved with the NBA Draft as an associate partner and will remain the title partner of key on-court platforms, including Kia NBA Tip-Off, Kia NBA All-Star MVP and the Kia NBA Performance Awards.

Also, the seasonlong #KiaWhoYaGot sweepstakes, which gives fans the opportunity to predict the winner of key matchups on NBA social channels, will resume during Kia NBA Tip-Off.

“The partnership between the NBA and Kia has been pivotal in increasing brand and consumer awareness and an uptick in consideration of the Kia brand, and we are excited to extend our partnership and continue connecting with the league and its passionate fans,” said Saad Chehab, VP of marketing communications at Kia Motors America.

“Both Kia and the NBA have a broad appeal across a large segment of the consumer public and through this partnership we hope to keep Kia top-of-mind among the confident, independent NBA fans and drive them, literally to Kia’s showrooms.”

Kerry Tatlock, NBA senior vice president, global partnerships, added: “Kia has been deeply integrated into the year-round NBA experience since becoming a partner in 2008.

“We’re excited to continue to grow the partnership by building upon all of the engagement programs that connect Kia with the diverse fans across the league’s channels.”

Eurosport partners with Snapchat to engage younger audiences in the Olympic Games

Discovery Communications’ Eurosport and Snap, Inc. reached an advertising and content agreement that will deliver a new partnership for the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang 2018.

The aim is to bring Snapchatters across Europe exciting Olympic Games action through several types of professionally curated content on Snap’s Discover platform.

This partnership marks the first time that Snap has committed to a European, multi-language deal for covering the Olympics, offering unique opportunities for more brands to engage a younger generation of fans.

The partnership will feature both daily Our Stories — which are curated stories featuring Snaps submitted by Snapchatters — and Publisher Stories — which are magazine-like Stories produced by media publishers — curated by Eurosport dedicated to the Olympic Winter Games.

“We are thrilled to bring the excitement and passion of the Olympic Games directly to Snap’s dynamic and engaged younger audience, allowing Discovery to deliver on its promise to bring the Games to more people across more screens in Europe than ever before” said Michael Lang, president, international development and digital for Discovery International.

“This partnership delivers original content, through Discovery’s unparalleled and innovative storytelling of the Olympic Games, to one of the most powerful and influential social media platforms in the world.”

Ben Schwerin, vice president of partnerships for Snap Inc., said: “Snapchat gives sports fans an unparalleled way to experience the Olympic Games and engage with their favourite athletes and teams. Discovery has already been a great collaborator for us, reimagining their iconic Shark Week franchise into a Show for Snapchat.

“We’re thrilled to be expanding our partnership to give Snapchatters across Europe the best Olympic Games experience possible.”