Fifa close to agreeing major new broadcasting deal for Club World Cup – but fans might not be able to watch for free
FIFA are close to agreeing a broadcast deal for the Club World Cup, according to reports.
The expanded tournament is set to take place in the USA in the summer of 2025.
The Club World Cup traditionally pitted four clubs from around the globe against one another.
But the new format will see 32 clubs participate including 12 from Europe, with Manchester City and Chelsea representing England.
Fifa were believed to want around £3.2million for the broadcast package but the actual fee could be closer to £800,000, according to the New York Times.
Apple TV+ are in talks about buying the rights and could make the tournament subscriber-only, which means fans might not be able to watch any games for free.
Senior executives at Fifa have concerns about that fact, with normal World Cup games being made free-to-air in the UK.
Apple TV+ show MLS games after agreeing a ten-year deal worth £2billion.
They will also show Jake Paul’s boxing dust-up with Mike Tyson in July.
There is plenty of money involved in the revamped tournament with each club set to bank at least £43m.
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The winner will pocket an additional £80m, meaning there is plenty on the line for the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Four teams from England have won the competition previously – Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and City.