Zee to stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India
What's the story
Zee Entertainment Enterprises has bagged the media rights for FIFA events in India till 2034. The deal includes the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030, as well as the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027. Zee will air a total of 39 global football events on its television and digital platforms. This strategic move is part of Zee's plan to expand its sports broadcasting portfolio and boost subscriber and advertising revenues.
Coverage details
Coverage starts with FIFA World Cup 2026
Zee's football coverage will kick off with the FIFA World Cup 2026, starting June 11. The matches will be aired on Zee's newly launched sports network, which includes Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD. Streaming will also be available on Zee5. This move is part of Zee's larger strategy to create a diversified sports portfolio and boost revenues across its television and digital businesses.
Strategic acquisition
Football transcends regions, demographics: Punit Goenka
Punit Goenka, CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, expressed his excitement over bringing such a major sporting event to Indian audiences. He said football transcends regions and demographics, and their investments in acquiring these media rights and launching dedicated sports channels reflect their belief in its long-term potential. The partnership is expected to strengthen Zee's position in the sports broadcasting market where media companies are aggressively pursuing premium live sports rights for audience engagement and advertising growth.
Market significance
India's young audience and growing football interest key factors
Romy Gai, FIFA's Chief Business Officer, emphasized India's strategic importance as a market with a young audience and growing interest in football. He said Zee's broadcast and digital reach will help grow the footprint of football across the country. This deal comes after a long bidding process for these marquee football properties. Initially, FIFA had quoted around $100 million for the India package covering 2026 and 2030 World Cups before reducing its asking price to at least $60 million.