British-based company BT Sport has been chosen as the host broadcaster for the men’s and women’s Champions Trophies

British-based company BT Sport has been chosen as the host broadcaster for the men’s and women’s Champions Trophies after striking a deal with the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

They will broadcast 18 matches from both tournaments being held at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

The competitions feature the “best of the best” of hockey and the hosts - playing as Great Britain - will take part in the men’s event, due to take place between June 10 and 17, alongside Olympic champions Germany and World Cup and Hockey World League winners Australia.

Britain will be joined by South Korea, winners of Champions Challenge I, and Belgium and India, who received invitations from the FIH.

It was due to be staged in Argentina but was moved to England after a contract between the FIH and the Confederación Argentina de Hockey (CAH) was cancelled.

The original agreement for the tournament with the CAH was ripped up as they could not meet obligations in regards to television rights, sponsorship and the hosting of events, according to the FIH.

In the women’s tournament, scheduled to be held between June 18 and 26, Britain will go up against Australia, 2014 winners and Hockey World League champions Argentina, London 2012 gold medallists The Netherlands, New Zealand and the United States.

The men's and women's Champions Trophies are both due to be held at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London ©Chris Lee
The men's and women's Champions Trophies are both due to be held at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London ©Chris Lee

“We’re delighted to be given the opportunity to further strengthen our positive relationship with BT Sport as they look to make their channel the home of hockey in the United Kingdom and Ireland,” FIH chief executive Kelly Fairweather said.

“Our partnership extends beyond these territories however as they get set to become host broadcaster for the upcoming Hockey Champions Trophies in London - the last stop before the Rio Olympic Games.

“BT Sport’s innovative approach to broadcasting is set to revolutionise the way sports fans watch hockey.

“Their ambition to grow the sport by providing world class production is very much in line with the Hockey Revolution – our ten-year strategy aimed at making hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.

“We look forward to working together with the common goal of engaging with and inspiring millions more sports fans around the world as a direct result of an improved viewing experience.”

BT Sport will also screen the Junior World Cup for women between November 23 and December 4 in Chile and the men’s Junior World Cup in India, scheduled to take place from from December 1 to 11.