UEFA Signs Relevent Rights Deal for National Team Events

UEFA announced a new commercial rights agreement on Oct. 13, 2026, with U.S. marketing agency Relevent covering national-team competitions from 2028 to 2036, while Turkish referees Cihan Aydın and Kadir Sağlam received UEFA assignments for youth and regional matches.

According to UEFA, Relevent won the exclusive sales deal after competing bids and will manage commercial rights for national-team events. The agreement follows a separate club competition rights partnership involving Relevent.

UEFA said the national-team competitions deal is important for financing its operations, supporting 55 member federations and maintaining a reserves fund around 500 million euros ($560 million). The organization also said CAA Eleven will continue its work through the men's Euro 2028.

UEFA described Relevent's selection by citing "a proven track record representing UEFA club competitions" as one reason for the decision, said UEFA, European soccer body.

The governing body also highlighted the agency's future plans, citing "a compelling vision" for the development of commercial rights in soccer, said UEFA, European soccer body.

In officiating assignments, FIFA-badged referee Cihan Aydın was appointed to oversee the UEFA Youth League match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United in Madrid. UEFA scheduled the match to start at 17:00 Turkey time, with Murat Tuğberk Curbay and Samet Çiçek as assistant referees and Anas Bakali Bentaleb as the fourth official.

FIFA-badged referee Kadir Sağlam was assigned to UEFA Regions Cup Group 2 matches in Slovenia from Oct. 14 to Oct. 22, 2026. Assistant referee Mehmet Emin Tuğral was also selected for the competition.