After a year-long absence, France's top-tier Ligue 1 has finally found its broadcast home in Italy. Pay-TV giant Sky Italia has secured the rights for the upcoming 2025-26 season, marking a significant milestone in sports broadcasting.
Starting from the opening matchday on Friday, August 15th, Sky Sport will broadcast at least two matches per round. This includes the top match of the day, ensuring that fans won't miss out on any high-stakes action.
In addition to live matches, Sky will also cover highlights and key moments from the French league in its daily Euro Show coverage and analysis. This comprehensive approach ensures that fans stay updated with all developments within Ligue 1. Live coverage will be available both on linear Sky Sport channels and their Now streaming service. The first game to kick off this new era of broadcasting is between Rennes and Marseille.
Strategic partnership with Infront
The deal was brokered by sports and entertainment agency Infront as part of a multi-year media rights partnership with LFP (Ligue de Football Professionnel), which was agreed upon last year.
Under the terms of this agreement, Infront has been granted exclusive management of international media rights for the top-flight Ligue 1. The deal also extends to cover second-tier Ligue 2 competitions. This comprehensive partnership spans across several global markets, including Europe, Asia, and Oceania. The duration of this agreement is set for five years, commencing from the 2024-25 season and extending through to the end of the 2028-29 season.
Despite these extensive rights management responsibilities, Infront failed to secure a broadcast deal in Italy last year. However, they have now successfully reinstated Sky as the rightsholder for Italian broadcasts after previously holding these rights during the cycle from 2021–22 through to 2023–24.
Overcoming past challenges
The LFP has faced well-documented issues with its domestic media rights. Global sports streaming service DAZN terminated its five-year contract after just one season, causing a significant disruption.
However, the upcoming campaign will be shown domestically by a new Ligue 1 channel launched by the league itself. This move signifies a fresh start and an exciting new chapter for French football broadcasting.
The return of Ligue 1 to Italian screens is a win for both sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike. With Sky Italia's comprehensive coverage and Infront's strategic partnership with LFP, viewers can look forward to an engaging and informative soccer experience.
