Belgium's top-tier football league, the Pro League, has announced a domestic media rights tender for the five seasons spanning 2025 to 2030. The tender was launched on September 9 and is being strategically supported by IMG agency.
The deadline for prospective rights-holders to submit bids for the eight available packages is October 16. Following this, a Pro League general assembly will evaluate the bids on October 18. Interested parties can obtain the tender documents by contacting tender2025@proleague.be.
Currently, both domestic and international rights of the 16-team Pro League are held by global sports streaming service DAZN – which acquired previous rights-holder Eleven Sports in a significant five-year deal running through to the end of the 2024-25 season.
Available packages
In total, eight rights packages are up for grabs – three specifically designed for coverage of matches in the Pro League. The remaining packages cover games from second-tier Challenger Pro League matches and various domestic cup competitions.
A notable development in this year's tender is that all packages are platform-neutral; they cover both linear (traditional broadcast) and streaming rights. This move reflects an industry-wide shift towards more flexible viewing options as audiences increasingly turn to online platforms.
Regarding kick-off times across these five seasons covered by this new tender, it has been confirmed that they "remain virtually unchanged." This consistency will likely be appreciated by fans who value routine when following their favorite teams' games.
Role of IMG Agency
IMG agency plays a crucial role in supporting this process through its strategic partnership with Belgium’s top-tier football league - a deal unveiled last October. Additionally, IMG also holds a contract to collect and commercialize fastpath data from European Leagues over five years (from season 2022-23 until 2027-28).
As of now, in the ongoing 2024-25 Pro League season matches, Dender is leading the table after only six games. This early success has undoubtedly excited fans and increased anticipation for future seasons.
This new tender offers an exciting opportunity for prospective rights-holders to be part of Belgium's vibrant football scene. With platform-neutral packages available, it also represents a significant step towards embracing modern viewing habits and ensuring that fans can enjoy their favorite sport on their preferred platforms.
