Saudi Pro League extends global appeal with international broadcast deal

 
The Saudi Pro League has struck a series of new international broadcast agreements for the 2025/26 season, aiming to make its matches available in more than 180 territories through a record 37 broadcasters.  

League officials say the interest is there – last season drew over 230 million viewers worldwide, positioning the competition among the most-watched domestic leagues globally. 

The expanded deals have also driven a reported 20% increase in international rights revenue over the past two seasons. Fox Sports has secured a six-season contract for the Americas, while Brazil’s Globo, Band TV and Canal GOAT, Spain’s Movistar+, Portugal’s Sport TV, SPOTV across Asia and India’s Fancode have signed four-year agreements.

Despite the reach, it can’t shake the questions about whether the league can sustain long-term international interest beyond high-profile signings and occasional marquee fixtures.  

Free-to-air broadcasts are part of the plan to appeal to new fans, with YouTube carrying games in Brazil and France, and Network 10 in Australia also offering coverage.

The league is also experimenting with streaming partnerships aimed at younger viewers, signing French Twitch creator Zack Nani to stream matches live in France. Similar initiatives are emerging across other top competitions as leagues try to tap into Gen Z audiences.

The League has said that highlight packages will continue to be distributed through YouTube, DAZN, Sky and OneFootball, giving fans in a select group of countries (UK, Nordics, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Serbia) access to select matches.

While the Saudi Pro League’s global footprint is clearly expanding, and its investment in the transfer market is not slowing down, its long-term impact will depend on whether international audiences engage consistently beyond novelty value, and how the league balances broadcast growth with on-field competitiveness.

Al Hilal’s performances at the FIFA Club World Cup gave a new perspective of the strength of Saudi League sides, as they knocked out Manchester City in the round of 16 – a massive upset.

“We are entering a new era of global visibility and fandom for our league,” said Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League. “By partnering with a mix of world-class broadcasters and innovative digital platforms we are making the Roshn Saudi League accessible to football fans around the world. The long-term nature of these agreements reflects the strong commitment our partners have in our journey and the exciting future of the RSL.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

El-Kanemi suffer first defeat, as Kun Khalifat get first win

Image
 By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports    El-Kanemi Warriors FC got their first taste of defeat of the 2025/26 Nigeria Professional Football League season, as the fell to Kun Khalifat FC away from home, in a lively showdown at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, South-East, Nigeria. The highly anticipated game kicked off, with the home fans turning up in numbers to support their team and the hosts wasted no time in showing their intent as they started brightly, creating two clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges, coming agonizing close to breaking the deadlock.   Kun Khalifat kept knocking and their persistence paid off in the 34th minute as they took the lead, enjoying the comfort of a 1-0 halftime advantage. After the restart, El-Kanemi Warriors responded with fierce determination, leveling the scoreline, with the first play of the second half, as Ebuka Okoro scored a stunning volley to level at 1-all.   The celebrations were short-li...
Read more

National Sports Commission reassigns Federations and Associations Secretary Generals

Image
...Rita Mosindi of athIetics moved to NSF/PARA, Peter Njoku of Basketball now to serve as Zonal Coordinator South-South  ...Ejiro Thukson of scrabble now in chess as Ikhana Mbora leaves Lagos to serve as Deputy Director, Federation - FEAD By Maxwell Kumoye      The National Sports Commission (NSC), has reassigned Secretary Generals of the various National Sports Federations and Associations. Rita Mosindi of AthIetics has been moved to NSF/PARA, Peter Njoku of Basketball is now the Coordinator of the NSC in the South-South zone, in Benin. While the scribe of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Mrs Ejiro Thukson has been moved to the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF). AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), will now be handled by Inwang Israel Mfon, formerly with Mixed Martial Arts.  Olalekan Faseesin of Teqball takes over Boxing Federation from Dapo Akinyele and Anusa Agoga Victor of Wheelchair Tennis Federation is now the scribe of Nigeria Scrabble Fe...
Read more

World record holder Amusan breeze into the women's 100m hurdles semi final

Image
...Records joint fifth fast qualifying time with Masai Russell ...Ajayi, Okon in search of slots in men's 100m, as Okezie, Ogazi begins Tokyo expedition today  By Maxwell Kumoye        Women's world record holder Tobi Amusan comfortably cruised into the semi final of the 100m on Sunday morning in Tokyo, Japan at the ongoing World Athletics Championships. Running in the final heat of the race, Amusan produced a quick start off the block that included heavyweights like Devynne Charlton and Elena Carraro to finish in 12.53s without dropping a sweat. Devynne Charlton came second in 12.69s and Elena Carraro in 12.86s which was enough to see them through to the semi final of Monday. Amusan's timing was the 5th fastest in the six heats on Sunday morning. Jamaica's Danielle Williams topped with her 12.40s in heat 2 ahead of Grace Stark in 12.46s, Nadine Visser 12.48s and Pia Skrzyszowska 12.51s. Masai Russell, running in heat 1 also stopped the clock the sam...
Read more