The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has formed a joint venture (JV) with DAZN which will be the first regional league ever from a global provider of MMA.
Named the PFL Europe, the JV will be launched in 2023. Meanwhile, the pair have also announced a media rights agreement to bring all PFL global events exclusively to DAZN in select ‘major international markets’, with a focus on Europe.
As the broadcaster becomes a founding partner of PFL Europe, content will reportedly feature top emerging European MMA fighters and be shown during prime local hours with all events staged in the continent.
“PFL Europe is the beginning of the Champions League of MMA from the PFL,” said Peter Murray, CEO of the fighters organisation.
“We are excited to have DAZN as our strategic media rights distribution partner in Europe for all of the fight franchises – PFL Global League, PFL Challenger Series, PFL Europe, and PFL PPV Super Fight Division.”
Separately and beginning in 2023, DAZN also becomes the exclusive home of PFL global events in 53 international markets, including the UK, Ireland and Spain.
More so, DAZN will be a partner in the new PFL PPV Super Fight Division and will promote and distribute events in international territories outside of the US and Canada.
Shay Segev, DAZN Group CEO, highlighted the group’s history of ‘accelerating the growth of sports’.
He concluded: “With DAZN, fans can either watch in the traditional linear way or enjoy a more immersive and interactive entertainment experience with greater gamification and bolt-on products and services.”
The league currently airs in America on ESPN and ESPN+ and is streamed to 160 countries, with partners including Channel 4, DirecTV, RMC Sport, Eurosport and Sky Sports, to name a few.
