Exclusive broadcast and digital rights to Germany’s premier soccer league, the Bundesliga, in India have landed with Zee Entertainment Enterprises in a five-year deal.
Coverage will begin from the 2026-27 season on Zee’s streaming platform Zee5 and its Unite8 Sports television channel.
The deal will give Indian viewers access to live Bundesliga matches, highlights and dedicated shoulder programming on both platforms. The deal builds on Gee’s previous deal with FIFA for the ongoing World Cup, which already made the company one of the main holders of sports rights in the region.
Unite8 by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Bhavesh Janavrekar, Sports Chief Business Officer, said: “The Bundesliga is one of the most exciting football (soccer) leagues in the world, known for its passionate fan culture, world-class clubs and commitment to developing young talent. “Through this partnership, viewers will have the opportunity to see some of the biggest stars in world football, including Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich and many other top international talents.” Through this partnership, ‘Z’ aims to create a meaningful and lasting impact by supporting grassroots development, strengthening avenues for young talent and enabling fans to be active participants in the growth journey of Indian football. We will also work with the Bundesliga to provide grassroots football clinics and development programs for aspiring footballers across India. Gain access to world-class coaching expertise and international best practices. ”
Per Nabert, Chief Commercial Officer, Bundesliga Media, said: “We have been investing in India for many years because we believe that long-term relevance is built not just on broadcast reach, but on continued local engagement. India is not just a Bundesliga city. “This is a country where we have consistently invested in our football, our partnerships and our people. This partnership with Z reflects that philosophy. Their outstanding reach, local expertise and multi-platform capabilities will bring the Bundesliga closer to millions.” Equally important, our shared commitment to grassroots football means we are investing in the long-term development of football itself, not just spectators, and for us partnerships with the media are not an end of the deal, we want to inspire the next generation of Indian footballers, strengthen the fabric of local football and deepen the bond between India and the Bundesliga for generations of football fans. ”
As part of its football development initiative, Zee had committed to directing 15% of Zee5’s football-related subscription revenue towards identifying, nurturing and nurturing young talent across India. This arrangement means that all Zee5 Soccer subscribers will have a stake in its funding pipeline.
The Bundesliga’s Indian fan base has grown by more than 50% over the past four seasons, and the league has supported this trajectory through club activation, fan engagement initiatives and on-field youth development activities. We continue to work with local stakeholders to strengthen football infrastructure and improve technical standards at various levels.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises operates in over 190 countries and is said to reach over 1.4 billion people worldwide.
