Champions League Rights Move to Streaming Platform DAZN in Israel

The Israeli sports broadcasting landscape is set for a dramatic shift as the international streaming platform DAZN, owned by billionaire Len Blavatnik, has secured the broadcasting rights for major European football competitions. This includes the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, for four seasons starting from the 2027/28 season through the end of the 2030/31 season. This move is expected to significantly alter viewing habits for Israeli football fans and reshape the balance of power among local broadcasters.

The primary loser in this transition is the Sports Channel, owned by the RGE group. The channel has broadcast the Champions League continuously since 1995, and the competition has been one of its most valuable content assets. Losing these rights could diminish the attractiveness of its broadcast packages and its standing in the Israeli sports market. Previously, the Sports Channel reportedly paid around 12 million euros for four seasons of Champions League rights, approximately 3 million euros per season. Beyond the rights value, the competition also drives viewership for premium channel packages and strengthens the channel's leverage with television providers.

The loss of broadcasting rights also raises questions about the future of the "Champions League Studio," a long-running and iconic program associated with the Sports Channel. The show, which has accompanied generations of Israeli football fans, is particularly linked to the late Avi Melar and Miri Nevo, who hosted it. The program recently won an Israeli Television Academy award for best sports program in 2025. The future of this beloved program, now a television institution, is uncertain.

Charlton, owned by businessman Eli Azar, which currently operates the Sport 1 channels and holds rights to the Europa League and Conference League, will also be affected as these rights have now moved to DAZN. This development aligns with a broader international trend of streaming services entering the sports rights market. Major tech and digital platforms like Amazon and Paramount+ have also acquired Champions League broadcasting rights in various European markets.

While DAZN has acquired the rights, it is possible they may sublicense them to Israeli broadcasters. This could potentially allow the Sports Channel and Charlton to continue airing some matches, even without holding the original rights. Details regarding how DAZN will market these games to the Israeli public, whether through a direct subscription service and its cost, remain unclear. However, the Israeli European football broadcast market is poised for significant changes starting in the 2027/28 season.