DAZN and Matchroom get in the ring with global deal

DAZN and Matchroom have agree a five-year, global deal.

This will include at least 16 Matchroom events being made available exclusively on DAZN to UK and Ireland viewers, from July 2021. This will begin with three back-to-back weekends of the Matchroom Fight Camp, with summer and autumn fight programming, including domestic, European and World title match-ups, to be announced. Matchroom Media will be handling the production of live events.

In addition to the UK, the deal expands agreements in the US, Spain, and Italy. More events are planned in all three territories, and it extends the availability of Matchroom UK events to US fans. DAZN and Matchroom will also look to invest in other markets with regionally relevant events, partnerships, and content.

Original content is also included. Documentaries such as The DAZN Boxing Show, 40 Days, and Making Of will be built on, as well as the development of new documentaries, features, and shows to bring viewers closer to boxers in and out of the ring. Highlights, clips, interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and classics are also included.

DAZN co-CEO, James Rushton, said: ”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.”

Matchroom boxing chairman, Eddie Hearn, added: “We have made the monumental decision to sign a historic 5-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.”