Wellington Phoenix is one of two New Zealand franchises in the A-Leagues. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Sky New Zealand, the country’s major pay-TV operator, has renewed its rights for Australian soccer’s top-flight men’s and women’s A-Leagues competitions.

The exclusive three-year deal agreed with the sport’s Australian Professional Leagues (APL) governing body – and unveiled earlier today – will see matches from the two competitions broadcast via the Sky NZ linear channels, or through the Sky Sport Now and Sky Go streaming services.

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This deal will focus on the league’s two New Zealand-based franchises, Wellington Phoenix and the upcoming Auckland FC expansion team, with all games featuring a New Zealand team to be covered via live broadcast.

Furthermore, one match per gameweek will be showcased on the broadcaster’s free-to-air channel, Sky Open.

Speaking on the deal,  A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia has stated: “New Zealand is really important for our continued growth, and it’s set to be a landmark year for New Zealand football following Wellington Phoenix’s standout season and the introduction of a new team, Auckland FC, into the A-League Men.

“Sky Sport is a world-class partner, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership and deliver more A-Leagues action – with one match broadcast free-to-air each week – to entertain New Zealand’s passionate soccer community and support our ambition to grow the game across the country.”

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Auckland FC’s men’s team will enter the A-League Men’s in the upcoming 2024-25 season, while its women’s team will join the A-League Women from 2025-26.

Nick Becker, Auckland FC’s chief executive, added: “Today’s announcement is another endorsement of the strength and ongoing growth of football in New Zealand.”

Sky NZ has held the rights to the league in New Zealand since its inaugural season in 2005.

The most recent renewal, a three-year deal, was agreed in 2021 through the end of the 2023-24 season.

The 2024-25 A-League Men season will begin on October 18, and run through May 31, 2025, while the A-League Women season will take place from November 1 through May 17, 2025.