Canal+ is set to broadcast two matches per week, with highlights also integrated into its broader sports programming, including 'Canal Football Club'.
Canal+ has secured the rights for the Saudi Pro League in both French regions and African territories for the upcoming two seasons. The network will broadcast two matches weekly.
The 2023/2024 season commences on Friday, August 11, featuring 18 clubs engaging in home and away matches until May 2024.
Every week, the matches will be aired on Canal+ sport channels, accessible via myCanal, and will also be featured on Canal+’s social media platforms.
The Saudi Arabian league joins Canal+’s football portfolio, which includes UEFA Champions League, Premier League, D1 Arkema, and Ligue 1.
Ballon d’Or awardee Karim Benzema and World Cup victor N’Golo Kanté have joined reigning champion club Al-Ittihad. Furthermore, Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in December, will now be playing alongside Seko Fofana and Sadio Mané.
Several other players in the league, such as Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Serbia’s Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Portugal’s Ruben Neves, all contribute to the league’s robust French following, representing Riyadh-based Al Hilal.
Commenting on the deal, Thomas Sénécal, Director of Sports, Canal+ Group, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer this brand new soccer league exclusively to Canal+ subscribers. The Saudi Pro League brings together a line-up of prestigious players that we’ll be able to see every week on our channels and in our programmes such as Canal Football Club. We’re looking forward to following some of the world’s biggest stars: golden ball winners Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, world champion N’Golo Kanté and Sadio Mané in this fast-developing league.”
