Serie A: launch of a call for tenders for TV rights in the Middle East and North Africa

The Lega Serie A has launched the call for tenders for the broadcasting rights to the Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana, over the 2021-2024 cycle, for the MENA region, on 15/01/2021. Interested candidates must submit their bids between 28/01/2021 (from 10:00 CET) and 01/02/2021 (until 10:00 CET).

The MENA zone is the subject of a separate call for tenders for the Serie A's international rights. The Italian League had previously launched a global call for tenders (excluding MENA) on 23/11/2020 (see details below).

This new call for tenders contains a total of 50 packages:
• 25 for the Serie A (1 for the whole MENA zone, 24 for each of the territories in the region)
• 25 for the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana (1 for the entire MENA zone, 24 for each of the territories).

The rights in the region are currently held by the Qatari pay-TV group beIN Sports. Relations between the Italian League and beIN Sports have been strained in recent years due to the organisation of the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia, which was accused of supporting the pirate broadcaster…