The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the umbrella body for free-to-air broadcasters, has struck a two-year extension of its tie-up with Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the rights-holder for some of the biggest road cycling events on the continent.
Through an agreement unveiled today, running between 2030 and 2032, EBU broadcaster members will continue to air iconic events such as the Tour de France (TDF), Paris-Roubaix, and La Vuelta, through the latter year.
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This deal means that the Eurosport channel – run by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) – will continue to cover the wide selection of men's and women's races in all European markets in which it operates.
The current tie-up between ASO and the EBU covers the 2026-30 cycle.
The deal also entails free-to-air coverage of the races by specific other networks in markets including Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
In the UK and Ireland, meanwhile, pay-TV network TNT Sports, also owned by WBD, will also retain the rights to the iconic race.
TNT has struck an extension to its sub-licensing agreement with the EBU, as Eurosport no longer operates in the UK.
Frederic Sanz, head of summer sports and cycling at the EBU, commented: "This outstanding portfolio combines some of the sport’s most iconic races with an equal commitment to men’s and women’s cycling, while the unrivalled reach of public service media will continue to connect millions of fans across Europe with these elite cycling events.
“This extension is a strong vote of confidence in our partnership and commitment to keeping world-class cycling accessible to everyone.”
Tying up one of its 'crown jewel' sets of rights for another two years represents a significant boost for the EBU.
Julien Goupil, Amaury Sport Organisation's media and partnerships director, added: "The extension of our agreement with the EBU confirms the strength of a relationship built over several decades. This longstanding partnership is rooted in a shared vision: making our events accessible to the widest possible audience, across Europe and on all platforms."
The 2027 men's TDF will run between July 2 and July 25.
In terms of recent EBU rights activity, meanwhile, the umbrella body last month extended its rights tie-up with the International Biathlon Union (IBU) until 2034.
The extension covers the 2030-31 through 2033-34 cycle; the current deal between the two parties was unveiled in mid-2024 and will come to an end in 2030.
The EBU also renewed its agreement with the European Olympic Committees body in mid-June.
