DAZN wins Champions League rights in Israel from 2027

DAZN, the international streaming platform owned by Len Blavatnik, has won UEFA's tender to broadcast European football matches in Israel starting in the 2027/28 season, for four seasons. It is the first time since 1995 that Sport Channel will not hold the Champions League broadcasting rights.

The shift marks a significant change in Israeli football broadcasting after more than three decades in which the Champions League was synonymous with Sport Channel. The rights to European football's flagship competition will now move to the international streaming platform under a four-season agreement.

The change extends beyond the Champions League. As part of its tender win, DAZN will also hold the broadcasting rights to the Europa League and the Conference League, two additional European competitions whose Israeli rights are currently held by Charlton.

The new platform will thus consolidate the broadcasting rights to all three major European football competitions, which until now have been divided between two different broadcasters in Israel.

Israeli viewers may still see some of the matches on familiar channels, however. Market estimates suggest DAZN may sell part of the broadcasting rights back to Charlton and Sport Channel, a move designed to allow it to profit from the rights it has purchased.

It is important to note that at this stage these are estimates only, and no agreement has been reported between the international platform and Israeli broadcasters.

DAZN's win is expected to reshape the distribution of broadcasting rights from the 2027/28 season, but it remains unclear exactly how Israeli viewers will be able to watch all the matches, and whether some will continue to be broadcast through existing sports channels.