The National League has signed a long-term partnership with streaming giant DAZN. The deal will mean that from August 2024, the English fifth tier will be streamed in 200 countries for the next seven years.
Due to the deal, spectators will be able to view the National League on various platforms desktop, smart TVs, IOS, Android, SKY Q, Virgin Media, Apple.tv, Amazon Firestick and consoles.
This opens the National League to far more new viewers, who may be curious about or unfamiliar with English football’s fifth tier.
League delighted with the deal
The National League’s general manager, Mark Ives, has revealed his thoughts on the deal, stating: “We are incredibly excited about this groundbreaking long-term joint venture with DAZN, one of the biggest players in sports broadcasting, and the deal demonstrates the continuing growth and reach of the National League.
“The global exposure DAZN will bring the League and our clubs cannot be overstated. DAZN will be using their vast expertise in sports broadcasting and streaming to allow fans in both the UK and internationally to access live matches across all connected devices like never before.
“We look forward to working very closely with them to enhances the viewing experience for all fans that can’t be at the stadium, which we believe is to the full benefit of our clubs and their supporters.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank TNT Sports for the wonderful coverage and support they have provided.”
A long time coming
While this is excellent news, it feels it has been a long time coming, as many people have been talking about the league receiving more coverage worldwide.
While Wrexham were still in the fifth tier, the Dragons co-owner Ryan Reynolds was campaigning for the league to have more visibility, as he found it hard to watch Wrexham’s game back home.
After months of maximum effort, the decision (through inaction of the @Vanarama National League) to not allow domestic/international streaming of matches of Wrexham and the other clubs in the league is truly baffling. CC @btsport. Pls RT!!! 1/4
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 29, 2022
Wrexham’s story and documentary about the club raised its profile worldwide. Suddenly, clubs in the fifth tier of the English game had fans in the USA, for instance.
However, it was hard for worldwide viewers to watch their newly adopted teams as it’s obviously a lesser profile than the Premier League or the other big European leagues.
This deal can only be beneficial for the National League as a whole, as more coverage brings far more interest.
In the fifth tier, this sort of interest could well mean a significant financial boost for the clubs at a time when money can be the difference between the club staying afloat or going bust.
This deal could save some of the poorer-resourced clubs and allow them to progress.
The National League is a great spectacle
It is a shame that it has taken so long for such a deal to take place and for such interest to be shown in the National League.
As the league’s general manager, Mark Ives, has stated, the National League was previously shown on TNT.
However, there is a feeling that the new deal with DAZN will mean far more and better coverage than in previous years, which is a good thing.
For too long, the charms of England’s fifth tier have been ignored and almost treated as an afterthought.
In recent years, the league has grown in quality, and some of the clubs that have thrived in the National League have gone on to thrive in much higher leagues.
For instance, Luton Town’s ascension from the fifth tier, where they were close to financial ruin, to winning promotion to the Premier League in 2023 was incredible.
Their journey up the English football pyramid took a decade, something that few clubs achieve in the same timeframe.
The likes of Wrexham and Stockport County have also recently been playing in the fifth tier but will be plying their trade in League One in season 2024/25 after winning promotion.
When people talk about English football, it is often a division that gets overlooked because of its profile. It shouldn’t, as there are some excellent players and big clubs in the fifth tier.
Thanks to DAZN, many more people will witness the National League’s excitement in season 2024/25.
How much will the new deal with DAZN affect National League clubs?