BT Sport to broadcast France’s Ligue 1 for further three seasons
Paris Saint-Germain is one team to watch in Ligue 1
BT Sport is to continue as the exclusive broadcaster of France’s top domestic football league, Ligue 1, in the UK and Ireland until 2024, in a deal agreed with beIN Media Group, which holds global broadcast rights to the league.
Featuring the likes of Paris Saint-Germain stars Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, AS Monaco’s Cesc Fabregas and Marseille’s Dmitryi Payet, Ligue 1 matches on BT Sport will be exclusively live several times a week, with more than 200 per season.
The broadcaster’s coverage will also include the Trophée des Champions – the annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France – as well as a range of programming covering the French League. Completing BT Sport’s coverage will be the Ligue 1 promotion/relegation play-off matches at the end of each season between a side from Ligue 2 BKT and a side from Ligue 1.
Last season, Ligue 1 finished finely poised with just five points separating the top three of Lille, Paris Saint Germain and AS Monaco. Lille captured the title for the first time in a decade in part thanks to eye-catching displays from forward Jonathan David who is being linked to a host of clubs around Europe.
AS Monaco enjoyed a resurgent season under former Bayern Munich manager Nico Kovac and Spanish midfielder Cesc Fàbregas. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain entered a new era under the tutelage of former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino. Memphis Depay’s Lyon missed out on a top three berth by two points and therefore miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification for the second year in a row.
Rachel Knight, sports rights director, BT Sport, said: “We want to provide customers with the best sport from across the world and to deepen our relationships with the best leagues and competitions, so we are delighted to secure continued coverage of Ligue 1 until 2024. European football has always been a key part of our line up, with exclusive coverage of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League alongside other domestic European football leagues.”
Martin Aurenche, vice president of sports content and acquisitions at beIN Media Group, said: “We are delighted to continue to help grow French football internationally with this new partnership with BT Sport in the UK and Ireland until 2024. Ligue 1 showcases some of the best teams and talent in the world, while last season’s championship race was one of the most competitive in Europe. We look forward to many exciting times ahead for French football.”
Mathieu Ficot, deputy CEO, Ligue de Football Professionnel, said: “Visible on BT Sport since the launch of the channel back in 2013, Ligue 1 enjoyed a large exposure and high-quality editorial treatment in the UK and Ireland. We are glad to expand this collaboration up to 2024 and look forward to offering another exciting football season to our British and Irish fans.”