Qatari pay-TV broadcaster, BeIN, has extended its exclusive broadcast deal with English football’s second-tier EFL (English Football League) in 27 countries. The deal covers all three EFL divisions and the EFL Cup matches, and it stretches across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), France, Australia, and New Zealand.
The new contract will take the relationship between BeIN and the EFL beyond 18 years. It kicked off over the weekend during the second round of EFL 2024-25 league fixtures. The agreement was brokered by Pitch International, which is responsible for overseas media rights sales for Europe and Middle East on behalf of the EFL.
Coverage details
Under the extended agreement between BeIN and EFL, fans can look forward to comprehensive coverage of English football. Each season will feature broadcasts of 155 matches from the second-tier Championship, providing an in-depth look at some of the most competitive games in English football.
In addition to this, there will be coverage of 38 matches from Leagues One and Two, ensuring that fans have access to a wide range of football action across different levels. The deal also includes broadcasting all post-season playoff games, which are often some of the most exciting and closely contested matches in a season.
Furthermore, all matches from the annual knockout competition - the EFL Cup- totalling about 93 games per season will be shown as well. This comprehensive coverage ensures that sports fans have access to a wide range of exciting football action throughout each season.
Expanding football rights across MENA
BeIN has been active in securing multiple deals across MENA for football rights over recent times. Most notably are tie-ups for Spain’s LaLiga and France’s Ligue 1 matches. In addition to these partnerships, BeIN also holds rights to broadcast English Premier League matches in that region. The significance of these deals lies not only in their financial value but also their potential impact on promoting football talent from these regions where many players participate in various leagues within the EFL.
In addition to its international agreements, last month saw the EFL secure its US broadcast rights for the next four seasons in a deal with CBS Sports. Domestically, rights are held through 2028-29 by pay-TV heavyweight Sky, in a financially lucrative deal for the EFL estimated to be worth around $235 million each season.
The extended partnership between BeIN and EFL is a testament to their long-standing relationship and shared commitment to bringing high-quality football content to fans across multiple markets. This move not only enhances BeIN's portfolio of sports broadcasting rights but also ensures that fans of English football around the world can continue enjoying access to their favorite games.
