Austrian men’s soccer’s top-tier Bundesliga (ÖFBL) and second-tier 2.Liga have awarded their first domestic rights packages for the 2026-27 to 2028-29 rights cycle. The announcement comes three months after launching an all-encompassing tender.
Public service broadcaster ORF will retain its rights to co-exclusively air four Bundesliga matches per season live, including two first-choice and two second-choice games. Additionally, it will provide highlights and short reporting rights for all 195 matches each campaign.
Starting from the 2026-27 season, a highlights program will be broadcast on Sunday evenings on the ORF1 channel. The 'English rounds' will be aired on Wednesdays. This arrangement mirrors the current package that ORF holds for the ongoing cycle from 2022-23 to 2025-26. The main package of domestic rights to the Austrian Bundesliga is held by Sky Osterreich with a reported value of €160 million ($176 million) over four seasons.
Sportradar awarded second-tier league rights
Sports data and technology firm Sportradar has been awarded broadcasting rights to Austria's second-tier league, known as "2.Liga". Starting from next cycle, it will show all its matches via its Laola.tv streaming platform.
In addition to this, betting rights for both leagues have also been granted to Sportradar which includes streaming and data rights as well. While retaining overall exclusive production right along with sublicensing option, Bundesliga has kept back right of bringing all matches onto a league-owned platform as part of a complete package deal. The Austrian league plans on launching a separate platform in 2026 that would give fans access to both leagues potentially offering up to 435 games per season.
This development follows the ÖFBL's invitation to tender the domestic and international media rights for the league’s next three-season cycle in April. The league promised an “open, transparent, and non-discriminatory” process that would cover both Austrian and worldwide media rights for the 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 Bundesliga seasons.
Consultation with SN1
In October, Austrian Bundesliga engaged SN1, a Munich-based boutique media rights consultancy firm to advise on its rights strategies for the upcoming seasons. The consulting firm was tasked with analyzing key commercial growth factors, preparing a formal tender process and assessing direct-to-consumer opportunities in conjunction with strategic partnerships capable of providing commercial leverage.
The recent developments mark a significant step forward in Austrian football broadcasting landscape as it seeks to expand its reach while ensuring fans have access to all matches across multiple platforms.
