The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has secured an increase in domestic media rights fees for the various soccer competitions it runs, through a five-season extension struck with the Hrvatski Telekom operator.
The broadcaster, through a tie-up with the HNS unveiled earlier this week, will most prominently cover the 10-team, top-tier HNL league for the five seasons from 2026-27 through to the end of 2030-31, and is paying €49.2 million ($57.6 million) for these rights.
In addition, marketing, betting, and data rights (as well as HNL title sponsorship rights) have been retained by the SuperSport agency, in a four-year deal (with the option of an extension for another two seasons) which will bring in €10 million in total for the HNS.
In total, therefore, the deals are bringing in €59.2 million in revenue for Croatian soccer's governing body, with the current tie-ups with the same parties, having got underway in 2022, bringing in €44 million in total through to 2026 (albeit over four years instead of five).
Such a rights fee uptick comes in contrast to the current soccer rights values trend across Europe, where in many markets domestic rights have either flatlined or decreased in value over recent years.
Hrvatski Telekom and SuperSport's existing HNS agreements were both unveiled in February 2022, after the termination of an agreement (which was intended to be a 10-year deal) between the Croatian soccer body and Endorphin Magine, that same month.
Marijan Kustić, president of the HNS, said: "The offers received confirmed the high value of Croatian club football, which also shows that we conducted this tender at the right time, at the end of the most exciting season in the history of the Croatian National Football League, which brought record viewership in the stands and in front of screens.
“We can be very pleased with the fact that at a time when TV rights amounts are stagnating or falling in some leagues, we are signing the largest contract in Croatia so far, in the amount of almost €60 million, which will be very significant for the financial stability of our clubs. “
He added: "Hrvatski Telekom and SuperSport have proven to be very reliable, constructive, and dedicated partners with whom we have significantly improved our competitions, and we will continue to work in that direction.”
The 2024-25 HNL season came to an end in late May, with HNK Rijeka winning their second-ever title. The 2025-26 campaign will get underway on August 1.
