AFC commercial rights tender to be published in February

After a re-scheduling, approved by the AFC Executive Committee in Bangkok in November, it has been decided that the eagerly-awaited rights tender will be issued to both agencies and broadcasters.

The results of the tender, which will close in late March 2018, will be considered by the AFC Executive Committee.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has ensured that the process will be conducted with transparency and fairness. He said in Bangkok in November: “Fair processes will be followed, and the wishes of the Member Associations will be taken into consideration.”

In the next cycle, the AFC aims to further increase its tailor-made support for Member Associations, to continue to invest in competitions and to ensure that the AFC has the resources available to support those ambitions.

Shaikh Salman added: “We start from a strong foundation. By working together, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, the Member Associations have given the AFC the opportunity to deliver an ambitious Vision and Mission which provides focused and tailor-made services to maximise the potential of the MAs – and the results have been impressive.

“The financial return demonstrates that this commitment is matched by action - the total investment in Member Association services will have risen from USD 17.366 million in the cycle from 2013 to 2016 to more than USD 39.091 million by 2018.

“And as the AFC competitions grow, there will be increased financial support to continue to reward success. This will deliver world-class platforms for Asian teams and their players.”

Earlier in December, the AFC announced a further increase in prize money in the Confederation’s two leading club competitions for next season – the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup. The AFC Champions League is now one of the most lucrative continental club competitions in the world.