Sony Extends UEFA Rights Deal For European Football Leagues Till 2027
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has renewed its exclusive broadcast and digital rights partnership with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), continuing to showcase major European club football leagues such as the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Youth League.
The exclusive broadcast and digital rights renewal spans from the 2024-2025 season to the conclusion of the 2026-2027 season. Across three seasons, the broadcaster gains access to showcase over 1600 football matches featuring teams such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and more. The audience in India can watch these UEFA tournaments exclusively on Sony Sports Network channels and the SonyLIV OTT platform, offering linear television broadcasts and live streaming services.
Starting from the 2024/25 season, the UEFA Champions League will adopt a new format. The addition of four more clubs will introduce a league phase, allowing additional teams to compete against Europe's best. The single-league format features 36 clubs ranked together, with more matches between top teams. Notably, UEFA's premier club competitions will eliminate the January break, ensuring uninterrupted European club football action from August to May.
Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer - Distribution & International Business and Head - Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India commented, “Sony Sports Network, with a longstanding commitment to showcasing the very best of football, takes immense pride in announcing the extension of its partnership with UEFA for the next three seasons. Through this renewed collaboration, Sony Sports Network reaffirms its dedication to delivering unrivalled access to the most prestigious club football tournaments to fans across the Indian subcontinent. Since 2020, UEFA Champions League viewership in India has surged by over 51%, attributed largely through the introduction of regional language commentary. With the forthcoming transition to a new format, featuring over 125 additional matches and up to 38 early kickoff matches per season tailored for Indian audiences, we are confident that this growth will gain momentum further. As the 'Home of Football' in India, we eagerly anticipate showcasing over 1600 highly competitive football matches across these leagues to our viewers."
Sony Sports Network will persist in broadcasting specific UEFA Champions League matches in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA Events SA Marketing Director, UEFA stated, “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Sony Sports Network. Sony Sports Network coverage of UEFA properties in India has led to the growth of its following and viewership in India. Fans in the region will be offered extensive and excellent coverage of UEFA’s Football portfolio which includes the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, with the broadcast on Sony Sports Network and their digital platform Sony LIV.”
Since 2017, Sony Sports Network has been the exclusive broadcaster of the UEFA Champions League. This year, the final will be hosted at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Additionally, Sony Sports Network remains the official broadcaster for UEFA EURO 2024, Bundesliga, Emirates FA Cup, Roshn Saudi Pro League and other events.
