New Zealand Football have agreed a long-term partnership with FIFA+ to make more football and futsal content available to watch, for free, than ever before. 

The partnership sees all Ford Football Ferns and All Whites international friendlies, the men’s and women’s National League Championship, the men’s and women’s Ford Futsal SuperLeague, and the later stages of both the Kate Sheppard Cup and Chatham Cup, now available live and free on FIFA+. 

Also available will be select New Zealand content from previous FIFA tournaments, including World Cup highlights, with more set to be added to the archive over time. 

Coverage will start this weekend with live broadcasts of the upcoming Ford Football Ferns international friendly against Chile (7pm on Saturday 23 September [local] / 11am on Sunday 24 September [NZT]) at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida in Santiago, as well as the full first round of the National League Championship.

Games will be available to watch live, on demand as full match replays and as highlights.  

Domestic competitions will be available to watch worldwide, with international friendlies available in Aotearoa New Zealand and select international markets.

Andrew Pragnell, New Zealand Football CEO, sees this deal as a gamechanger for football fans in Aotearoa:

“Following the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, where football was highly visible, a big priority for New Zealand Football has been continuing that momentum and making our games accessible to all kiwis.

“Football is a game for everyone to enjoy, its growth is unstoppable, and we don’t believe it belongs behind a paywall. 

“Broadcasting has also changed, and it is time we stepped into the future.

“This partnership will see more football and futsal content than ever before free to watch, from our senior national teams to our domestic competitions, as well as an archive of previous international activity that will be added to over time. 

“With full international schedules for our senior national teams, an expanded women’s National League Championship and futsal one of the fastest growing sports in the country, this is a great time for the game in Aotearoa New Zealand and now people will be able to watch all of it for free.”

James Wear, New Zealand Football GM Brand & Partnerships, sees this partnership as a big opportunity to continue the growth of the game across the country: 

“This partnership has allowed New Zealand Football to take control of the rights for our content and directly produce games for our fans, ensuring that all international friendlies and domestic competitions are available in Aotearoa New Zealand, and free for all to watch.  

“It will also allow our domestic competitions and home international friendlies to be broadcast around the world like never before. 

“This project will create a one stop shop for all New Zealand football and futsal content that will be transformational to how people watch the game.”

Romy Gai, FIFA’s chief commercial officer, said: 

“FIFA+ is committed to making football truly global by enabling supporters to watch and access live matches. 

“We recently witnessed the greatest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and interest in the sport is only continuing to grow. 

“This new addition to FIFA+ will allow football fans in New Zealand and further afield to watch their local teams, as well as their national teams play on free-to-air television, thus helping to build momentum from the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

FIFA+ is free to join and available on web, app and on select smart TVs. 

Fans can access FIFA+ at: 

Web - plus.fifa.com
App – Apple Store
App – Google Store

For more information on accessing the platform visit help.plus.fifa.com.

Article added: Friday 22 September 2023