Canal+, the international media giant that owns sub-Saharan Africa broadcast heavyweight MultiChoice, has renewed its media rights agreement with South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) organizers.
This deal covers the country’s top-flight Premiership, second-tier Championship, and the trio of domestic knockout cups – the MTN 8 (for the top-eight teams in the Premiership), the Nedbank Cup, and the Carling Knockout Cup.
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MultiChoice will disseminate coverage via its SuperSport brand of linear networks, across Sub-Saharan Africa via the DStv satellite broadcast offering.
Speaking on the announcement, PSL chair Irving Khoza said: “The rights secured through this agreement will provide stability to our clubs, certainty to our supporters, opportunities for our players, and a foundation upon which the next generation of South African football can continue to grow.”
Canal+ chief executive for Africa, David Mignot, added: “The extension of our partnership with the PSL is an important moment for Canal+ following our acquisition of MultiChoice Group last year. It underscores our commitment to invest in compelling local sports and entertainment content across Africa.”
Orlando Pirates claimed a 2-0 victory over Orbit College on the final day of the 2025-26 Premiership, a win that saw them claim the title by a single point over the dominant Mamelodi Sundowns (who had won every title since 2017), ending a 14-year title drought in the process.
Mignot continued: “The continued success of South African club football is reflected in one of the most competitive Premiership seasons in recent memory, with the title only being decided on the final matchday. That level of competition, together with the growing strength of South African clubs, is a testament to the vision and leadership that has helped shape the PSL over many years.
“Having operated on the African continent for more than three decades, we know the importance of football and means to viewers. Alongside our partners at the PSL, including its Board of Governors, we aim to continue to deliver the best local football viewing experience and to continue to innovate our product to the benefit of PSL fans across the continent.”
With Orlando Pirates having toppled Mamelodi Sundowns’ domestic dominance, while Sundowns claimed gold on the continental stage, having won the CAF Champions League for the first time in a decade this season, there will be significant attention on the 2026-27 Premiership campaign, which Canal+ hopes will translate into increased viewership.
The Premiership is known for sponsorship reasons as the Betway Premiership, through a tie-up with the titular sports betting operator, while the charitable foundation of South African business mogul (and Sundowns owner) Patrice Motsepe is the title sponsor of the second-tier Championship.
The other primary sponsors, banking firm Nedbank, telecoms business MTN, and alcoholic beverage brand Carling Black Label Beer, each sponsor one of the titular knockout tournaments.
This agreement bolsters SuperSport’s rights portfolio, only a day after the business agreed a deal with World Rugby to acquire rights to the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup and 2029 women’s edition across Sub-Saharan Africa.
South Africa’s Springboks will be aiming to defend their title again after back-to-back triumphs in Japan in 2019 and France in 2023 as they chase a historic fifth victory.
The broadcaster also renewed its exclusive rights for the United Rugby Championship (which features South African club sides).
These announcements came in a week when Canal+ listed itself on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, firmly entrenching the media heavyweight’s commitment to the African market.
