DAZN Secures Israeli UEFA Broadcasting Rights in Major Industry Shift
International streaming platform DAZN has won the broadcast rights for the Champions League and European football tournaments in Israel starting in 2027/28, ending Sport 5's three-decade monopoly.
A major disruption is reshaping the Israeli sports broadcasting market as the international streaming platform DAZN, controlled by billionaire Len Blavatnik, secured the broadcasting rights for Europe's three major football competitions starting from the 2027/28 season through the 2030/31 campaign.
The tender victory covers the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Conference League for a four-season period. This marks a historic turning point, as Sport 5 has continuously broadcast the Champions League since 1995, establishing the tournament as a cornerstone of its premium programming and commercial standing.
Financial Impact and Industry Fallout
The loss of rights represents a substantial blow to Sport 5, owned by the Recanati family's RGE Group, which previously acquired the Champions League package for approximately 12 million euros, or 3 million euros per season. Industry observers note that the tournament's broadcasting rights were valued in the tens of millions of shekels, acting as a primary driver for premium channel subscriptions.
Furthermore, the shift places the future of Sport 5's iconic Champions League Studio program in question. The acclaimed show, which won the 2025 Israeli Academy of Television Award for Best Sports Program and is deeply associated with veteran broadcasters Miri Nevo, the late Modi Bar-On, and the late Avi Maler, has been a fixture of Israeli sports viewing for decades. Charlton, operator of the Sport 1 channels owned by businessman Elie Azur, is also affected after losing its rights to the Europa League and Conference League.
Global Streaming Trends in Local Markets
DAZN is an established global sports streaming giant already holding UEFA broadcasting rights in major European markets such as Germany and Portugal. The move mirrors a broader international trend of streaming services and tech giants acquiring premium sports assets, echoing Amazon and Paramount+ securing rights in key European territories.
Media analysts suggest that DAZN may sub-license part of the broadcasting rights to local Israeli networks, potentially allowing traditional channels to air select matches. However, pricing models and direct consumer subscription plans for Israeli viewers remain unconfirmed as the 2027/28 kickoff approaches.
