UTS RETURNS TO EUROSPORT SCREENS AFTER SUCCESSFUL INAUGURAL YEAR

Eurosport has secured the rights to all of the UTS Season 2 events on a pan-European basis (excluding France) as well as in India in 2021, starting in May at the Mouratoglou Academy (24-25 May) ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year at Roland-Garros. The opening UTS event is set to feature an exciting line-up including world number two Daniil Medvedev “The Chessmaster” as well as top 10 player Diego Schwartzman “El Peque” and charismatic Fabio Fognini “Fogna”.

The UTS complements Eurosport’s existing tennis portfolio that includes all four tennis Grand Slams across Europe* in addition to rights to broadcast the ATP Tour in 10 markets** and WTA Tour in Russia.

Trojan Paillot, VP Rights Acquisitions, Eurosport, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring the UTS to the screens of millions of tennis fans across the world once again after a successful series in 2020. The UTS has clear has synergies with Eurosport – both look to constantly innovate and both look to continue to push the boundaries in order to appeal to new and younger audiences.

“With some of the top players in the world taking part in this relatively young format, it should be both a highly watchable tournament with plenty of world-class action on the court.”

Patrick Mouratoglou said: “Eurosport was a key player in the success of UTS Season 1, which has been seen by millions of fans around the world. It was an obvious choice to partner with Europe’s leading sports channel for the broadcasting of UTS Season 2. One of our goals is to democratize tennis and attract a larger and younger fanbase, and we know that through Eurosport, we will be able to reach out to a very large and passionate audience.”

The one-of-a-kind league will once again integrate new innovations including shortened matches made up of quarters and a potential sudden death, mid-match interviews, coaching, UTS cards and a loosened code of conduct.

*Eurosport has the rights to each Grand Slam in the following markets: Australian Open – pan-Euro rights, Roland-Garros – pan-Euro rights excluding France, The Championships, Wimbledon – Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden  , US Open – pan-Euro rights excluding UK
**Eurosport has the rights to the ATP Tour in Europe in Hungary, Romania, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Russia, France, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden