Zug, Switzerland – One day to go: The Audi Cup 2017 is set to gain substantial exposure through media rights agreements in the key domestic markets of each participating clubs as well as with multiple leading international broadcasters. The event kicks off at the Allianz Arena in Munich on 1 and 2 August 2017 with top international clubs - host FC Bayern München, Liverpool FC, Atlético de Madrid and SSC Napoli will compete at the leading pre-season tournament. Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports company, is the official worldwide marketing partner and exclusively responsible for the distribution of the international media rights.
Key agreements in domestic markets of participating clubs
Agreements in each territory of the participating clubs have been concluded to ensure live coverage for the fans back home. In Germany, fans will receive coverage on public-service channel ARD, in the UK, matches can be watched on major free-to-air network ITV4, GoITV will cover all matches live in Spain, and finally in Italy, fans can enjoy all matches live on Sky Italia.
Furthermore, Infront has brokered agreements across Europe including France (beIN Sport), the Netherlands (Ziggo Sport), Poland (Eurosport), pan-Scandinavia (Viasat) and Turkey (Tivibu). Further afield, coverage will be available across the Americas: In the USA (Univision), Brazil (ESPN) and Latin America (DirecTV). In the Asia-Pacific region, Infront has concluded multiple agreements including in Japan (DAZN), Indonesia (SCTV), Australia and New Zealand (beIN Sport).
As part of its digital strategy for the event, Infront will also work with key platforms including Daily Motion to ensure coverage of the tournament reaches the widest possible audience globally.
Stephan Herth, Executive Director Summer Sports at Infront: “We’ve been very active in recent months with our media and marketing sales teams delivering notable partnerships with broadcasters and sponsors alike in key territories. This helps to guarantee that the Audi Cup 2017 promises to be a genuine pre-season highlight, kick starting the appetite of international football audiences before the respective seasons get fully underway.”
Comprehensive services under one roof
As a full-service provider, Infront is the official media and marketing partner of the event, handling international media rights and a large part of the marketing rights. Furthermore, Infront is the exclusive hospitality sales agent for the event and also handles broadcaster servicing.
In this capacity, Infront has further brokered sponsorship contracts with Aral (automotive fuels), Bauhaus (workshop, house and garden specialist), Commerzbank (commercial bank), Hörmann (door supplier) and LaLiga for the two-day tournament.
Two days, four top clubs
On Tuesday, 1 August, two semi-finals - Atlético de Madrid vs. SSC Napoli and FC Bayern München vs. FC Liverpool - will be staged. The defeated teams will play first on Wednesday, 2 August before the winning teams compete in the final. Kick-off is set at 17:45 and 20:30 (CEST) respectively. Tickets are available now at www.audicup.com.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports company, is one of the most respected sports marketing companies in the world, managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production, event operation and digital solutions – and has won a reputation for its high standards of delivery. As the number one player in winter sport and with a leading role in football, summer and endurance sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with close to 170 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 900 experienced staff working from over 35 offices across more than 15 countries, delivering 4,100 event days of top class sport around the world every year. In November 2015, Infront was integrated into Wanda Sports Holding, part of the Chinese conglomerate the Dalian Wanda Group.
About Wanda Sports
Wanda Sports is the world’s leading sports business entity, founded to capture the opportunities in the global sports industry and to contribute to the prosperous international sports landscape in three key areas: 1) Spectator Sports (media & marketing business), 2) Participation Sports (active lifestyle business), 3) Services (digital, production and service business). Led by President & Vice Chairman Philippe Blatter, Wanda Sports incorporates the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, the iconic endurance brand IRONMAN and Wanda Sports China. The headquarters are in Guangzhou, China.
