Zee Entertainment Secures Broadcast Rights for Major FIFA Events in India
Zee Entertainment's Historic Deal with FIFA
New Delhi, June 1: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has officially announced its acquisition of the Indian broadcasting and streaming rights for 39 FIFA events spanning from 2026 to 2034. This includes prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup 2026, FIFA World Cup 2030, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
This agreement marks the inaugural collaboration between Zee and FIFA, encompassing various age-group competitions and futsal tournaments for both genders, along with associated documentary series, as reported by a leading media outlet.
The events covered by this agreement include the FIFA Men’s and Women’s U-17 World Cups (2026-2034), FIFA U-20 Men’s and Women’s World Cups, FIFA Futsal Men’s and Women’s World Cups, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup until 2030.
Broadcasting is set to commence on June 11 with the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be aired across four new linear sports channels: Unite8 Sports 1 and Unite8 Sports 1 HD in Hindi, and Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD in English, in addition to Zee’s streaming service, ZEE5.
“We are thrilled to present one of the globe’s most significant sporting events to Indian viewers,” stated Punit Goenka, CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises. “Football transcends geographical and demographic boundaries, and our investment in securing these media rights and launching dedicated sports channels underscores our strong belief in its long-term prospects.”
Romy Gai, FIFA’s chief business officer, emphasized the importance of the Indian market, noting its vast potential driven by a youthful and enthusiastic audience.
This agreement follows extensive negotiations regarding broadcast rights in India. Earlier reports indicated that FIFA initially requested $100 million for the 2026 and 2030 tournaments, later reducing the price to approximately $60 million. JioStar had proposed $20 million, while Sony eventually withdrew from the bidding process. The financial specifics of the Zee-FIFA deal remain undisclosed.
“Football has significant untapped potential in India, and we see a tremendous opportunity to unlock its widespread appeal for billions of viewers across the country,” remarked Mukund Galgali, Zee’s deputy CEO and CFO.
Zee’s Unite8 Sports portfolio already features broadcasts of cricket, kabaddi, badminton, wrestling, and combat sports.
This partnership with FIFA greatly enhances the company’s footprint in a market traditionally dominated by cricket, with the 2026 World Cup poised to be its first major venture into football broadcasting.