Spanish soccer’s top-tier LaLiga has completed its domestic media rights tender for the 2027-32 cycle, with incumbent broadcasters Telefonica and DAZN contributing to a combined €6.135 billion ($7.113 billion) rights figure across the five years.
Telecoms giant Telefonica, which operates the Movistar Plus+ pay-TV offering, and OTT streaming service DAZN, will once again each split five matches each per gameweek from the top-flight LaLiga competition.
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Overall, the new pair of rights deals represents a 9% overall uplift on the current status quo, including 6% growth on LaLiga specific rights (€1.05 billion per season), with Telefonica reportedly paying an average of €527.17 million each season, and DAZN by comparison paying €522.83 million per year.
One change in the new deal is that, while the five games each format will be maintained, Movistar’s three-matchday exclusive broadcast window will be eliminated, hence why DAZN has increased its commitment.
Both broadcasters will receive rights to one each of the two annual El Clásico derby meetings, and an equal number of first-choice picks through the season.
In recent years, Telefonica picked up DAZN’s five-game weekly slate on a non-exclusive sub-licensing deal with the UK-based OTT platform, and while it is unknown yet if that agreement will continue, Movistar Plus+ is likely to take some steps to preserve its broadcast slate of previous seasons.
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By GlobalDataThe overall €6.135 billion figure is made up of estimates for the media rights of several other related segments that LaLiga also believes will increase over the period.
LaLiga has predicted a 40% growth in media rights for the second-tier LaLiga 2 competition, which it says will grow to €35 million per season (currently €25 million).
Additionally, the league has also forecasted an increase in the HORECA business segment, which covers broadcast rights for commercial premises operators, which it believes will grow 30% to €130 million per season.
Meanwhile, regarding free-to-air rights and highlights coverage, including video clips, LaLiga predicts it will garner €60 million in rights across the five-year cycle, rounding out its multi-billion rights fee plan.
Speaking on the announcement, LaLiga president Javier Tebas remarked: “In today’s complex domestic and international landscape, securing over €6.135 billion in domestic rights and an overall growth of 9%, equivalent to more than €500 million over the previous cycle, is excellent news for the financial sustainability of our Clubs and the future of Spanish professional football.
“At a time when many leagues are experiencing declining media values, LALIGA’s continued growth and record highs are especially significant. This result reflects the strength of our product and the trust of broadcasters, largely driven by our committed fight against piracy, which has helped increase operators’ user bases, and by the Clubs' dedication to enhancing audiovisual content and offering the best possible fan experience.”
One of the primary factors that LaLiga attributes its media rights growth to is the infusion and enhancement of digital technology in its broadcasts.
Back in 2023, the league moved to revolutionize its broadcast product with a new visual identity, and similarly, a new, uniform in-house live feed production that it sells to both domestic and international customers.
Back in 2024, Sportcal attended a media session with Keegan Pierce, LaLiga's director of international relations, and the league's head of content and programming, Roger Brosel, who explained why these technological advancements are shaping how the league manages to sell its rights.
Read more – Explainer: How LaLiga drives commercialization through its broadcasts
