DAZN secures exclusive option for global streaming rights to 2029 Club World Cup
sportsNov 2, 20261334
Dazn has secured an exclusive option for global streaming rights to the 2029 men’s Club World Cup, further deepening its partnership with FIFA. The Saudi-backed streamer previously rescued the expanded Club World Cup in 2025 by agreeing to pay $1bn for global rights after many broadcasters and streamers declined to bid. That surprise 2025 deal was enabled by Surj Sports Investment group’s purchase of a 10% stake in Dazn and effectively bankrolled FIFA’s $1bn prize fund, with winners Chelsea receiving about $114m. Dazn remains loss-making despite more than 300 million subscribers, its 2025 operating losses widening from $772.9m to $939.8m year on year, yet the company appears willing to keep investing in rights. The price of the 2029 option and the deadline to exercise it are not disclosed, leaving FIFA breathing space as planning for the 2029 tournament continues without settled venues, format or size. Club World Cup preparations have been complicated by fallout from Gianni Infantino’s aborted sell-off proposal, a threatened European Football Clubs withdrawal, $250m in delayed solidarity payments to clubs, and unresolved commercial joint venture details that may wait until after FIFA’s presidential election in March. Morocco, as a 2030 World Cup co-host with close ties to Infantino, is viewed as the favourite to host in 2029, with Morocco-Spain joint hosting also under consideration and Portugal reportedly hesitant.
