
Dazn Locks In Exclusive Global Streaming Rights for 2029 Club World Cup
Summary
Dazn has secured an exclusive option for global streaming rights for the upcoming men’s Club World Cup in 2029, enhancing its partnership with Fifa. This move follows Dazn's commitment to pay $1 billion for global rights to the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup held in the United States last year, after other broadcasters opted out.
Apple TV had previously engaged in discussions with Fifa for a global streaming deal slated for 2025, but withdrew due to valuation disagreements. Meanwhile, Dazn's unexpected late bid was supported by a 10% investment from Saudi's Surj Sports Investment group, effectively funding Fifa’s prize pool, which saw Chelsea claim around $114 million.
Despite boasting over 300 million subscribers, Dazn continues to face financial challenges, with operating losses rising from $772.9 million to $939.8 million. Nevertheless, the company appears determined to invest significantly in streaming rights.
The financial specifics of the Club World Cup rights deal remain undisclosed, yet it offers Fifa flexibility as it prepares for the second edition of the expanded tournament, which aims to generate substantial revenue amid ongoing political challenges.
Planning for the 2029 tournament remains complex, with no definitive decisions made regarding venues, formats, or team expansions, despite discussions about increasing to 48 teams. The fallout from Gianni Infantino’s controversial World Cup sell-off proposal has further complicated matters, leading the European Football Clubs (EFC) lobby group to express concerns.
Relations between EFC and Fifa have reportedly improved since the withdrawal of Infantino’s plan, although key details regarding a joint venture for managing the Club World Cup’s commercial operations remain unresolved until after the Fifa presidential election in March.
Morocco is favored to host the 2029 event if Infantino is re-elected, given his close ties with King Mohammed VI. The decision to award the first women’s Club World Cup to the United States has bolstered Morocco's case, as the US was also a contender for 2029. A joint hosting arrangement with Spain is another potential scenario, while Portugal has expressed reservations.
Find all AI-powered sports news summaries : FIFA Club World Cup, Football. Automatic summaries, in real-time.

Comments coming soon...