Global subscription service, DAZN, has extended its rights deal with the top-tier Belgian men's soccer competition, the Pro League. This multi-year agreement will see DAZN providing coverage of the 2025-26 Pro League season and beyond.
The upcoming 2025-26 campaign is expected to feature a significant number of Japanese players. Currently, there are 15 Japanese players in the league – a record high for any European league according to DAZN. The Sint-Truidense club alone boasts eight Japanese players and is owned by Japan's e-commerce and IT giant, DMM.
DAZN plans to cover at least three Pro League games each round as part of this deal. One game per round will be aired live in Japanese – an exciting development for fans back home. The first game to be broadcasted in this manner will be between Sint-Truiden and Gent on July 26th (Saturday). This new agreement builds upon an existing domestic coverage partnership between DAZN and the Pro League that extends until 2030. Last year saw a deal worth €84.2 million ($87.5 million) per season unveiled - marking a significant increase from previous agreements.
Expanded coverage across leagues
In addition to covering Belgium's premier men's soccer competition, DAZN also holds broadcasting rights for several other leagues domestically, Belgium’s second-tier Challenger Pro League, Women’s Super League, Domestic Croky Cup, and Supercup. In Japan, meanwhile, sports fans can enjoy access to other European soccer leagues including those in Spain, Italy, and France via their subscription with DAZN.
The future structure of the Belgian football landscape was also recently announced. From the 2026-27 season, the Pro League will expand to include 18 teams. The top four clubs will secure a spot in pan-European UEFA competitions the following season, while the bottom two teams will face direct relegation. Each team is set to play a total of 34 matches.
This extended deal between DAZN and Belgium's Pro League not only highlights DAZN's commitment to providing comprehensive sports coverage but also underscores the growing influence of Japanese players in European soccer leagues.
