DAZN Secures UEFA Champions League Rights
The acquisition of UEFA Champions League rights is a significant step forward for DAZN, and is expected to help the streaming service attract new subscribers and expand its reach among Hispanic audiences. With its growing presence in soccer rights, DAZN is well-positioned to become a major player in the US sports market.
DAZN has acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast 38 Spanish-language UEFA Champions League matches in the US, as part of a sublicense agreement with TelevisaUnivision that lasts until the 2026-27 season. This deal marks a significant milestone in DAZN's growing presence in soccer rights in the US, and is expected to help the streaming service expand its reach among Hispanic audiences.
The agreement includes shared rights to two quarterfinal matches, both semifinals, and the final with Univision, allowing DAZN to offer a comprehensive Champions League experience to its subscribers. Additionally, the sublicense agreement covers the Europa League, which Univision owns Spanish-language rights for, further solidifying DAZN's position in the US soccer market.
As a result of this deal, Vix+, Univision's streaming service, will carry fewer exclusive Champions League matches, but will continue to have Spanish-language coverage of all other UEFA club competitions. The move is seen as a strategic decision by DAZN to target Hispanic growth through sublicensed Spanish-language rights to UEFA club competitions in the US, and could potentially help the streaming service break through to the mainstream.
The deal is part of a larger agreement with FIFA, which makes UEFA matches available for free worldwide. In the US, TelevisaUnivision holds Spanish-language rights to the Champions League through 2026-27, while CBS has English-language rights through 2029-30. DAZN has sublicensed 76 UEFA Champions League matches in Spanish to TelevisaUnivision for the next two seasons, further expanding its soccer offerings.
With this landmark deal, DAZN is poised to become a major player in the US soccer market, offering a unique and comprehensive viewing experience to its subscribers. As the streaming service continues to expand its reach and offerings, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the broader sports landscape in the US.