Sports subscription streaming service, DAZN, has secured a significant package of free-to-air (FTA) domestic live broadcast rights for Spanish soccer's LaLiga. This move marks a shift in the landscape of sports broadcasting as DAZN replaces Mediapro, the previous holder of this rights package.
The deal covers one live FTA game per week for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 campaigns. This addition complements the existing pay-TV package already held by DAZN, which was announced in late 2021. LaLiga is obligated to sell one game per matchday to be exploited on an FTA basis due to government legislation updated in 2022. The law mandates that one game must be covered live "through open and/or state-owned audiovisual communications services."
Interestingly, these fixtures cannot feature heavyweights Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Valencia or any clubs involved in pan-European UEFA competition.
Bidding challenges and successes
LaLiga faced challenges during the bidding process for these rights. It had to abort the first two rounds due to lack of interest that met their reserve price. However, it was reported that DAZN successfully met LaLiga's reserve price at €4 million ($4.5 million).
Oscar Vilda, chief executive of DAZN Iberia, said:
"This new award of rights represents a key step in our growth strategy in Spain. Being able to offer LaLiga's open game for the next two seasons gives us a unique opportunity to connect with new fans to discover the innovative experience offered by DAZN and the differential seal that characterizes our broadcasts."
Expanding horizons
In addition to securing domestic rights within Spain itself, recent days have seen both DAZN and LaLiga conclude several rights deals outside Spain – including Germany, Austria Switzerland and Belgium.
These developments come as anticipation builds towards the conclusion of league's 2024-25 season set over May 24-25 weekend, with Barcelona being the favorites to clinch the LaLiga title. The league's other main domestic broadcast partner for the 2022-23 to 2026-27 cycle, alongside DAZN, is Telefonica-owned pay-TV network Movistar. Both DAZN and Movistar will show five games each from the 20-team league every weekend.
This new deal signifies a major shift in Spanish soccer broadcasting. With DAZN securing these rights, fans can look forward to a new era of access and coverage for their favorite sport.
