International sports broadcaster Eurosport and Austrian public-service broadcaster ORF have acquired rights to the inaugural edition of the European Snow Volleyball Championships.
The event, which has been organised by the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), will take place in Wagrain/Kleinarl and Flachau in Austria from March 23-25. The tournament will be contested by 24 of the best men’s and women’s team from Europe.
ORF Sport Plus will broadcast Sunday’s matches, with the finals to be broadcast on Eurosport 2 on Sunday evening and repeated on Monday morning. The finals will also be showcased on Eurosport in 17 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Live streaming of the centre-court matches will be available from Friday to Sunday on the CEV’s YouTube channel and on the Snow Volleyball Facebook page.
Volleyball’s snow discipline is growing in popularity, with 17 national federations in Europe hosting their own championships. The CEV has worked with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to develop the discipline, with the two organisations showcasing the sport at the Snow Volleyball Night at Austria House during the recent winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
Commenting on the Eurosport and ORF rights deals, CEV president Aleksandar Boričić said: “Their decision to broadcast the event is a demonstration of the growing popularity of snow volleyball and it will allow even more people than ever before to enjoy the sport.”
Austria's Alexander Huber and Martin Streifellner will be among those competing at the new tournament.