The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has struck a new 3 year deal with Sport1 to broadcast its World Level events in The Netherlands.

The six-figure deal, which is co-exclusive with Dutch state broadcaster NOS, will bring unparalleled hockey coverage to The Netherlands. Sport1 will broadcast live all matches from Champions Trophies and World Cups, as well as selected matches from all other televised FIH World Level events, including the finals of the BDO Champions Challenge men which is currently played in Antwerp/Boom, Belgium.

The deal heralds a move for FIH to distribute its World Level events on a country-by-country basis in Europe, rather than its previous pan-European approach.

‘The new country-by-country approach will ensure a much higher exposure for hockey in our key European television markets due to the extent of the coverage in that a much higher total number of matches will be broadcasted’, FIH President Els van Breda Vriesman stated.

‘In addition, the increased revenues will enable us to reinvest in television production at more of our major events, such as the current BDO Champions Challenge event, which is the first men’s Champions Challenge ever to be televised on an international basis.’

‘Sport1 is very proud to add these valuable hockey events to our portfolio’ Jeroen Oerlemans, General Manager Sport1 said. ´On top of our broadcasts of the Dutch national league and the European Hockey League we now truly feel we are the home of hockey for the Dutch fans.´