MMA arrives on ITV as the British broadcaster secures rights to show PFL Europe highlights
- Planet Sport writer
- 24 March 2023
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has today announced a partnership with ITV to broadcast highlights of the inaugural season of PFL Europe, launching on March 25 from Newcastle, England.
The partnership with PFL will be ITV's first move into the world of Mixed-Martial-Arts and will give fans in the UK the opportunity to watch PFL Europe events on a free-to-air basis, recapping the most iconic moments throughout the season and following each athlete's journey as they fight their way to becoming PFL European Champion and win the $100,000 prize.
A one-hour highlights show will drop on ITVX 24 hours after the LIVE broadcast concludes and will also be shown on ITV4 the Friday after each event, with the first programme airing on 31 March.
The partnership will complement the LIVE broadcast of PFL Europe on DAZN in the UK & Ireland.
"ITV is the home of entertainment in the UK and we are delighted to be partnering with a platform that is synonymous with media and sport'' said James Frewin, Senior Vice President of PFL International.
"MMA has become a mainstream sport here in the UK, so when you add to this the PFL's unique season format based on true values and meritocracy it makes us the perfect partner for ITV."
PFL Europe is the PFL's first international league and will showcase the top MMA athletes across Europe.
The organisation will hold quarterly events throughout 2023 beginning in Newcastle on March 25.
The ground-breaking league will feature 32 of Europe's top fighters from 14 countries competing across four weight divisions.
After four events, four PFL Europe Champions will be crowned with each Champion taking home $100,000.
Champions also have a chance to earn a spot on the PFL Global Roster and the $1 million global season prize.
PFL Europe Regular Season events will take place from the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle (England) on March 25th and the Verti Music Hall in Berlin (Germany) on July 8th.
The winners of each Regular Season event will advance to the 2023 PFL Europe Play-off at the Zenith in Paris (France) on September 30th and finally four PFL Europe Champions will be crowned at the 3Arena in Dublin (Ireland) on December 8th.
