FA Cup agrees overseas deal from 2018-19

The Football Association has agreed a new overseas broadcast rights deal for the FA Cup that will last six season with reports suggesting its worth £820m to begin at the 2018-19 season.

Pitch International, a marketing agency, will cover rights for western Europe, Middle East and North Africa, with IMG covering the rest of the world.

Both will subcontract deals to broadcasters, with the domestic rights staying with the BBC and BT Sport.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn described the deal as "hugely significant".

The value of the overseas deal was undisclosed but Glenn said the fee would allow an increased investment in pitches, facilities and participation programmes in grassroots football.

"It is not overstating it to say that it could have a transfor­ma­tional impact on what we are able to achieve across the country," Glenn added.

"It also underlines the global popularity of The Emirates FA Cup. With its history and tradition, it has the remarkable ability to create fantastic stories and inspire fans, players and clubs to believe anything is possible."

As well as the FA Cup, the deal also includes the rights of for the FA Community Shield and the FA Youth Cup.

The deal comes after the FA agreed to allow agencies, such as Pitch International and IMG and broadcasters, to bid for single territories, regional groupings or a global package of rights.

ZT