Matchroom And DAZN In ‘game-changing’ Boxing Deal
Matchroom and DAZN have announced a ‘game-changing’ global deal which will see the sports streaming platform become the home of Matchroom’s stable of boxers for the next five years.
The deal includes a ‘groundbreaking’ move that will see at least 16 Matchroom UK fights a year available exclusively on DAZN in the UK and Ireland from July 2021 onwards.
The pair will kick off the partnership with three back-to-back weekends when the Matchroom Fight Camp series returns for a second year – last year’s was nominated for (Virtual) Event of the Year, in association with Miller, at the Sport Industry Awards 2021. DAZN says that further summer and autumn fight programming will be announced later – including ‘highly-anticipated domestic, European and World title match-ups’ – along with an on-air talent roster.
Both DAZN and Matchroom say they will ‘significantly invest’ in other key markets around the world, as well as in original content, building on existing DAZN franchises such as ‘The DAZN Boxing Show,’ ’40 Days,’ and ‘Making Of’ alongside highlights, clips, interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and classics.
“Game. Changed,” said James Rushton, Co-CEO, DAZN.
“This historic deal builds on the success and momentum of our long-term partnership with Matchroom around the world and solidifies DAZN at the forefront of the global sports streaming era.
“Together, we are committed to building the new home of boxing in the UK and Ireland while continuing to grow the global home of boxing in a way that matches today’s evolving viewing habits and brings fans all over the world more of the most premium live action, more round-the-clock global storytelling, and more broadcast and content innovations – only on DAZN.”
Matchroom Boxing Chairman Eddie Hearn added: “We have made the monumental decision to sign a historic five-year deal with sports streaming giant DAZN. This means that our UK events will now be broadcast live on DAZN along with all Matchroom shows across the world.
“Pushing the boundaries is something we will always continue to do and we needed a partner that shared our vision for boxing, and who was also willing to make the investment to make those dreams a reality. This is also an amazing opportunity for our newly formed production and content business, Matchroom Media, who will now be responsible for live production across our events, working in close collaboration with DAZN and enabling us to form a cradle-to-grave mindset across inception to completion of our shows so we can deliver the live event experience to the viewer in the narrative and style in which we have built it.
“As we continue Matchroom’s expansion worldwide, this new deal will enable us to further cement DAZN as the unrivalled global home of boxing. Our aim, alongside DAZN, is to create the biggest and best live fight nights and deliver a viewing experience that is truly game-changing.”
DAZN has also confirmed that the initial monthly price of £1.99 in the UK and €1.99 in Ireland – which was launched as a limited-time offer in December 2020 when the service launched in both countries – will remain in place for new DAZN subscribers throughout the three-week Matchroom Fight Camp series.
