UK pay-television broadcaster BT Sport has acquired exclusive rights in the UK and Ireland to this year's Champions Trophy national team hockey tournaments.
BT Sport struck the deal with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and will serve as host broadcaster for the events. In total, it will broadcast 72 hours of action from the men's and women's tournaments, which will be staged at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London, England. BT Sport will show 18 matches from each tournament.
The men’s event will be held from June 10-17, with the women’s edition taking place from June 18-26. Germany and Argentina are the reigning men’s and women’s champions, respectively.
“Their (BT Sport’s) ambition to grow the sport by providing world-class production is very much in line with the Hockey Revolution – our 10-year strategy aimed at making hockey a global game that inspires the next generation,” Kelly Fairweather, chief executive of the FIH, said.
The agreement also secures BT Sport rights to the women’s Junior World Cup event, which takes place in Chile from November 23 to December 4, and the men’s equivalent, which will be held in India from December 1-11.