Telecommunications company, Telekom, secures broadcasting rights for World Cup 2026; ARD and ZDF left without deals - Telecommunications company, Telekom, acquires broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup - ARD and ZDF face a vacant slot
Telekom Secures Exclusive Rights for 2026 FIFA World Cup, Leaving ARD and ZDF in Limbo
Germany's Deutsche Telekom has clinched the broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant shift in the way the tournament will be disseminated in the country. This exclusive deal will see all 104 matches of the tournament, including the Women's World Cup in 2027, streamed on Telekom's pay-TV channel, MagentaTV.
Spearheading the announcement was Wolfgang Metze, CEO of Private Customers at Telekom, who declared that the contract was the largest rights package ever secured, encompassing not only the men's tournament in 2026 but also the U20 World Cups for men in 2025 and 2027, totaling a whopping 272 live broadcasts.
The agreement between FIFA and Telekom leaves public service broadcasters ARD and ZDF on the sidelines. However, it is theoretically possible for these broadcasters to secure sub-licenses from Telekom, as was the case with the UEFA Euro 2024.
Under German broadcasting laws, certain matches—such as those involving the German national team, the opening match, semi-finals, and final—must be broadcast on free-to-air television. While the specific terms of a potential sub-licensing agreement between Telekom and ARD and ZDF have not been divulged, it is expected that the public broadcasters may acquire such licenses to comply with legal requirements.
The 2026 World Cup promises to be the biggest ever, with 48 teams vying for glory across more than 100 matches. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the opening match scheduled for June 11, 2026, and the final taking place five weeks later on July 19. The group stage will feature an unprecedented 72 matches.
Telekom has announced the appointment of footballing personalities Johannes B. Kerner and Wolff Fuss for the 2026 World Cup broadcast. Kerner is slated to serve as the moderator for MagentaTV, while Fuss will offer commentary, including for matches involving the German national team.
Football World CupDeutsche TelekomFIFA
[1] German broadcasting law mandates certain matches be broadcast on free-to-air television[2] Reciprocal deal may have been struck between Telekom and ARD/ZDF for previous events[5] It may be expected that Deutsche Telekom sub-licenses matches to public broadcasters ARD and ZDF for compliance with German broadcasting law
- Despite the exclusive deal between Deutsche Telekom and FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, it is anticipated that German broadcasting law's requirements for certain matches on free-to-air television could necessitate Deutsche Telekom to sub-license some matches to public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.
- The financial implications of this deal for the business sector, particularly for Telekom and potential sub-licensors like ARD and ZDF, could significantly impact the overall finance landscape surrounding the sports industry, especially football.
