Groundbreaking partnership includes 34 NASL matches in 2016

The NASL has announced a national broadcast television partnership with beIN SPORTS, becoming the first North American professional league to team up with the global sports network.

“We're obviously very excited to announce our new partnership with beIN SPORTS,” NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson said. “Like the NASL, beIN SPORTS has quickly grown in importance and stature across North America. Our savvy pro soccer fans here in North America are watching beIN SPORTS on a regular basis, and now they'll be able to watch exciting and competitive NASL action every week.”

Over the course of the 2016 NASL season, a minimum of 34 matches will air on beIN SPORTS in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Every weekend of the 2016 season will feature one match live on beIN SPORTS – 11 in the Spring Season and 18 in the Fall Season. Five weekday encounters will also air live on the network.

The first NASL match to air on beIN SPORTS will be this Saturday’s South Florida clash between the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Miami FC at Lockhart Stadium. The matchup, which kicks off at 7 p.m. ET, will air just a few hours after the conclusion of beIN SPORTS’ broadcast of El Clásico, one of the world’s most famous rivalry matches featuring FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF.

CLICK | FULL NASL SCHEDULE ON BEIN SPORTS

In addition to the TV presence that comes with the partnership, each NASL match will be available online to authenticated viewers via beIN SPORTS CONNECT – the network’s live streaming platform.

“We are thrilled to amplify our global soccer coverage with the addition of the NASL, a league with a growing fan base in North America and some of the country’s most promising professional prospects,” said Yousef Al-Obaidly, Managing Director of beIN SPORTS. “This acquisition marks our commitment to providing viewers with access to the best sports leagues and events, both in the U.S. and abroad.”

The partnership marks the first time beIN SPORTS has partnered with a North American professional sports league. In the last three years, beIN’s subscribership has grown to over 45 million, with the network serving as the country’s viewing hub for top soccer leagues like Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A, and France’s Ligue 1. Other notable beIN SPORTS properties include the English Football League Championship, Capital One Cup, Copa del Rey, and select FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL regions.

In addition to Saturday’s Fort Lauderdale-Miami matchup on beIN SPORTS, four other encounters will kick off the 2016 season: Carolina RailHawks vs. Minnesota United FC (Saturday), Rayo OKC vs. FC Edmonton (Saturday), Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Indy Eleven (Saturday), and New York Cosmos vs. Ottawa Fury FC (Sunday).