Global sports streaming service, DAZN, has secured a significant rights deal to provide coverage of Italian soccer’s top-tier Serie A in several international markets. This move is aimed at consolidating the league's rights globally, with a particular focus on the UK and US markets.
In an announcement made on July 4th, DAZN revealed its exclusive rights package for the UK and Ireland. The service will stream eight league games per round exclusively, with two additional matches shown non-exclusively. In total, over 300 matches will be aired.
Previously, only two matches per round were aired in these regions by TNT Sports - Serie A’s other regional partner. The remaining fixtures were available on a pay-per-view basis via OneFootball. However, this new deal ensures that all matches are broadcast live except those scheduled during the UK's 3pm Saturday blackout window.
Spanish-Language coverage boosted in US
DAZN has also expanded its presence in the US market by securing Spanish-language rights to show ten fixtures per round – five exclusive and five non-exclusive ones - across both the US and Caribbean regions.
This move complements their recent acquisition of Spanish-language rights for UEFA Champions League matches through a sublicensing agreement with TelevisaUnivision. Additionally, DAZN holds exclusive global rights to FIFA Club World Cup currently being staged in America. English-language coverage of Serie A remains under CBS Sports as part of their two-season deal initiated last year.
Beyond live match coverage, DAZN has also gained highlights rights covering Serie A along with Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana domestic cup competitions globally (excluding Italy, San Marino, Vatican City, and MENA region). These highlights will be available at least one hour post-match completion, with two or three-minute packages per match depending on the territory.
DAZN's growing influence in Serie A broadcasting
DAZN is already a domestic rights holder of Serie A, sharing the rights with pay-TV network Sky Italia through 2028-29. As the primary broadcaster, DAZN covers every game live while Sky Italia airs three games per matchday. It's estimated that both broadcasters pay around $950 million annually for these rights.
Pete Oliver, DAZN chief executive of growth markets, said:
“Lega Serie A is one of the most storied and technically brilliant leagues in world football. Our partnership with the league has continued to grow stronger, particularly since DAZN became the main domestic broadcaster of the Serie A Championship starting with the 2021/22 season.
“This agreement reinforces DAZN’s position as the global home of football – expanding our footprint in Europe and the Americas and giving fans unrivaled access to Italian football as this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup unfolds. From Napoli to Milan, Roma to Juventus – fans want it all, and DAZN is delivering it.”
Serie A has been actively expanding its global reach. One of their recent significant deals includes a five-year partnership in Africa with SportyTV for one game per matchday. This ensures free-to-air coverage in Nigeria and Ghana along with English and Portuguese-speaking countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, SportyTV can sublicense these rights to 20 other African countries including Angola, Botswana, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe among others. This expansion strategy by Serie A coupled with DAZN’s growing influence promises an exciting future for soccer fans worldwide.
