EFL secures record TV rights deal that will impact QPR, Millwall and more London clubs

The English Football League (EFL) has secured an «innovative» new international TV rights deal which, according to PA, is worth a record-breaking $188million (£147.7m) as the minimum revenue guarantee over the next four football seasons.

The deal, which will run until the 2027-28 season, represents a 40 per cent increase in revenue compared to the previous cycle. American company Relevent has been selected by the EFL as its expert partner agency.

Relevent will handle the selling of its rights in North, Central and South America. The deal comes at a time when Wrexham, under the ownership of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have sparked more overseas interest in the lower divisions. Should the Welsh club win promotion from League Two this season, they could be facing the likes of London sides Leyton Orient and Charlton Athletic in League One next term. The deal will also come as a boost to the likes of Championship outfits QPR, Millwall and Watford, who will be looking to build their brands in emerging American markets.

Last year saw the announcement of a five-year deal worth £935m between Sky Sports and the EFL for domestic rights, starting from the the 2024/25 season. Pitch International, a company that has worked with the EFL for 15 years, will continue to handle the distribution of the league's rights in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and the 'rest of the world'.

For the rights in the Americas, the EFL stated that Relevent would "… work with the EFL to build member clubs' profile in this key region via a dedicated marketing partnership". Pitch will distribute 155 exclusive Championship matches and 38 matches from Leagues One and Two, plus all play-off matches, all EFL Cup ties and three