Eurosport Signs Deal To Show Nextgen Series
The NextGen Series, a European club tournament showcasing football’s future stars that started last year, 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.
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 13th September.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are also amongst the competing teams in the competition, which was won last year by Internazionale.
NextGen chief executive Marcus Keane said: ‘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.’
‘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.’
