The deal gives Zee the rights to air the FIFA World Cup 2026 along with 38 FIFA events through 2034, marking one of the biggest sports broadcasting acquisitions in the company's history. The tournament will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, beginning on June 11, 2026.
According to reports, FIFA had initially sought a much higher valuation for the India rights package before negotiations eventually moved toward a lower figure. Zee emerged as the successful bidder after competing interest from major broadcasters, including JioStar and Sony.
Market analysts believe the acquisition significantly strengthens Zee's sports broadcasting ambitions, especially after the launch of its new sports division, Unite8 Sports. Investors viewed the FIFA deal as a major growth opportunity that could boost advertising revenue, digital streaming engagement, and subscriber growth.
The development comes at a crucial time for Zee as it looks to expand beyond entertainment content and establish a stronger presence in India's competitive sports media industry. With football viewership continuing to rise in India, the FIFA World Cup is expected to attract millions of viewers across television and digital platforms.
