Sports broadcaster ESPN has acquired the exclusive rights to the NextGen Series youth football tournament in the US, Brazil, Latin America, the Caribbean, Oceania and the Middle East for four years, from 2012-13 to 2015-16.
The NextGen Series features youth players from 24 European clubs and is played over six months. The broadcaster’s coverage begins with Inter Milan v Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, September 26 at 1pm Eastern Time.
ESPN International will show 18 matches on its television networks around the world this season, including the semi-finals and final. All NextGen matches will also be carried live on ESPN’s broadband platforms: ESPNPlay.com in the Caribbean and Latin America; WatchESPN in Brazil; and ESPN3.com the Middle East and Oceania.
Mike Walters, vice president, programming, ESPN International, said: “The NextGen Series is a tremendous showcase for young talent developing at Europe’s top football clubs. In addition to getting a forecast of who may shine in Europe’s top leagues and the Uefa Champions League in the near future, fans will get a first look at future internationals who may lead their countries at World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016.”
Justin Andrews, co-founder of NextGen, said: “We’re delighted to be introducing NextGen to so many new territories outside Europe, and via such a great broadcaster. There is a clear appetite for NextGen across the globe, giving fans the chance to follow the future stars of football.”
Clubs participating this season include: Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Inter Milan, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain.