FA Cup opener to air live on Facebook

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Match between Ascot United and Wembley FC will be first live football game to be streamed on the social networking site

The opening game of the FA Cup is to be streamed live on Facebook, the first live football match to be broadcast on the social networking site.

FA Cup sponsor Budweiser brokered the deal with non-league teams Ascot United and Wembley FC. The live stream from Ascot's 1,150-capacity ground will be made available via an application built into the US brewer's UK Facebook page.

"To be involved in the first game of the FA Cup this season is an honour in itself, but to be part of a world first and have our match broadcast to a massive global audience is fantastic for our club," said the Ascot United chairman, Mike Harrison.

Budweiser said that the match, which kicks off at 7.45pm on Friday, will only be available to those of legal drinking age.

Viewers must be aged 18 and over and have "liked" Budweiser's Facebook page to gain access to the free live stream.

Facebook said that the live stream is not sponsored by, endorsed by, administered by or associated with the social networking website.

In 2009 England's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine was broadcast on the internet – the UK's first professional football match screened exclusively live online – on a pay-per-view basis after a rights offer to find a replacement broadcaster to air it on TV failed following Setanta's collapse.

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• Sports rights
• Digital media
• Social networking
• Facebook
• Internet
• FA Cup

Mark Sweney

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Keith Stuart 17 Aug, 2011

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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/aug/17/fa-cup-opener-live-facebook
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