Amazon announced on Friday that it would broadcast Champions
League matches in Italy from next season, as the American online retail giant
strengthened its burgeoning presence in the football rights market.
Amazon Prime have won the rights for 16 matches on
Wednesdays, as well as the UEFA Super Cup, for 2021-2024.
The company said it would show games featuring Italian
clubs, if qualified, up until the semi-finals.
“Amazon is looking forward to the start of the next season
of the Champions League, one of the most prestigious club competitions in the
world,” said a spokesperson.
“We know that Italian football fans are some of the most
passionate in Europe and we will do everything to provide them with a fantastic
experience.”
Amazon already shows live football in Germany and has the
rights for some English Premier League matches.
The company has been rumoured to be interested in buying the
Ligue 1 rights in France and also broadcasts professional tennis tournaments
and some NFL games.
Amazon’s foray into soccer in Italy follows similar ones
elsewhere in Europe. At the end of 2019, the streamer inked a three-year deal
for rights to 16 Champions League matches for Prime Video in Germany. Amazon
Prime Video is also in its second year as a domestic broadcast partner of
English soccer’s Premier League.