English soccer’s Premier League has secured a lucrative media rights renewal with major international sports network ESPN in South America and the Caribbean through 2031, according to reports.
Britain’s Guardian newspaper has reported that the league has achieved a 25% increase in value on its latest three-year broadcast agreement, with the new deal understood to be worth around £450 million ($610 million) in total.
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South American influence continues to fuel popularity
South America has a rich history of producing stars who have excelled in England’s top-flight. Argentinian pioneers Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricardo Villa joined Tottenham Hotspur in the late 1970s, while more recently Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, and Javier Mascherano have dazzled in the Premier League.
Brazilians Alisson Becker and Ederson have helped redefine the modern goalkeeper role, while Juninho Paulista became a fan favourite at Middlesbrough. Peru’s Nolberto Solano and Colombia’s Faustino Asprilla remain legends at Newcastle United. Uruguay’s Luis Suarez and Chile’s Alexis Sanchez were prolific for Liverpool and Arsenal, respectively, while Ecuador’s Antonio Valencia starred at Wigan Athletic and Manchester United.
This season, there are around 69 South American players in the Premier League, including Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina), Igor Thiago (Brazil), and Moises Caicedo (Ecuador).
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By GlobalDataThe rising presence of South American stars has helped drive a surge in the Premier League’s popularity across the region, boosting broadcast demand and, in turn, media rights revenues.
Table 1: Premier League rights cycle and value in South America
| RIGHTS CYCLE | BROADCASTER | YEARS | TOTAL VALUE ($m) | TOTAL VALUE (£m) | CHANGE (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2028-2031¹ | ESPN | 3 | 610 | 450 | 25% |
| 2025-2028¹ | ESPN | 3 | 455 | 360 | 44% |
| 2022-2025 | ESPN | 3 | 343 | 250 | 35% |
| 2019-2022 | ESPN | 3 | 225 | 185 | 12% |
| 2016-2019 | ESPN | 3 | 252 | 165 | 77% |
¹ Includes the Caribbean
ESPN’s Premier League rights: Timeline and growth
ESPN has been the Premier League’s exclusive broadcast partner in South America since 2019. The network expanded into the Caribbean beginning with the 2024–25 season, after pay-TV broadcaster VertiCast Media, which held the rights in the region, terminated its agreement with the league a year early.
Below is a summary of key Premier League rights deals involving ESPN in the region:
– 2016–17 to 2018–19: ESPN acquired rights in South America for £165 million ($252 million), a 77% increase on the previous deal.
– 2019–20 to 2021–22: ESPN secured exclusive South American rights for £185 million ($225 million), a 12% increase.
– 2022–23 to 2024–25: ESPN extended its South American deal for £250 million ($343 million), a 35% uplift.
– 2025–26 to 2027–28: In February 2025, ESPN renewed rights across South America and the Caribbean in a deal worth £360 million ($455 million), representing a 44% increase.
– Through 2031: The Premier League has now reportedly secured a further renewal valued at about £450 million ($610 million), a 25% increase on the previous deal value, keeping the competition on ESPN platforms across South America and the Caribbean through 2031.
Conclusion
The Premier League’s latest ESPN renewal highlights its growing commercial strength in South America and the Caribbean, where fan interest continues to rise—helped by the league’s long-standing connection to the region’s elite talent.
With rights secured through 2031 at a significantly higher value, the Premier League strengthens its global media footprint while ESPN reinforces its position as the primary home of English top-flight soccer for audiences across the region.
