Vodafone Scores Football DealVodafone Scores Football Deal

Vodafone wins wireless rights for the UEFA Champions League in 12 countries over the next three seasons

September 15, 2003

2 Min Read

LONDON -- Vodafone Group today announces it has acquired the Wireless Rights for the UEFA Champions League 2003/4, 2004/5 and 2005/6 seasons in an unprecedented 12 countries.

The three year deal with Europe's premier football competitions includes exclusive Wireless Rights in Egypt, Greece, Hungary, Malta and Spain, as well as rights in France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The UEFA Champions League is UEFA's most prestigious club competition and was originally created as the European Champion Clubs' Cup prior to the 1955/56 season.

Guy Laurence, CEO at Vodafone Global Content Services, said: "Vodafone is delighted to have obtained wireless rights for the UEFA Champions League in so many countries. It is a major achievement for Vodafone and for UEFA to be able to sign a single-deal over so many markets.

"Vodafone plays an important role in enhancing its customers' enjoyment of football and has become the natural home for a unique range of football content for fans of all clubs. This new UEFA agreement will enhance the range of mobile football content available to our customers and is sure to be a big hit."

Commenting on the deal, UEFA Chief Executive, Gerhard Aigner said: "I am delighted to announce this wireless rights deal for the UEFA Champions League. This is a great technological advancement and will bring the UEFA Champions League even closer to football fans around Europe. Alongside the traditional forms of communication, the new wireless rights ensure that the best club competition in the world will be available to fans at any time, via their mobile phone, wherever they may be."

UEFA Champions League mobile content will be available to Vodafone's customers through the popular Vodafone live! consumer service. Under the terms of the contract, Vodafone will be able to offer its customers a range of content including near-live video clips from this season's matches of UEFA Champions League, video clips of historic UEFA Champions League matches, downloadable icons, wallpapers, screen savers and ringtones, as well as UEFA Champions League match centre information including results, reviews, line-ups, match news and previews.

Vodafone will begin rolling out UEFA Champions League mobile content to its Vodafone live! customers across Europe from the start of the first round matches in September.

Vodafone Group plc

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