Spectators tune in to Bundesliga telecasts - Live broadcast of the Bundesliga in progress.
In the upcoming 2025/26 season, German football enthusiasts can look forward to a refreshed TV rights deal, marking a significant evolution in the broadcast and monetization of top-tier football. The new agreement, valued at around €1.346 billion per season, signifies a moderate increase compared to previous contracts [1][3].
One of the key differences in this new cycle, which runs from 2025/26 through 2028/29, is a redistribution focused on sporting merit, youth development, and fan engagement, while maintaining balance and stability across clubs [3][5]. The money will be divided as follows: 50% will be distributed equally among clubs, 43% will be allocated based on sporting performance over the last 5 to 10 years, 4% will be linked to youth player usage, and 3% will be connected to club popularity and interest [3][5].
In terms of English-language coverage, Sky Sports has secured rights to all Friday and Saturday Bundesliga matches, while DAZN has exclusive Sunday rights and the Konferenz (goals show) rights for the first time [2]. This shift from the previous arrangement where Sky Sports held Bundesliga rights including DFL Supercup coverage for four seasons until mid-2025 marks a notable change [2].
For the 2025/26 season, every 2. Bundesliga game will have English language world feed commentary available, increasing accessibility for international viewers [2]. The Bundesliga will follow scheduled kickoff times such as Friday 7:30pm, multiple Saturday matches including 2:30pm (subject to blackout rules), 5:30pm games, and Sunday fixtures at 2:30pm, 4:30pm, and some 6:30pm matches displaced from European midweeks [2].
DAZN will show the conferences for midweek games, while Sky (via Sky/WOW) will show all Friday 2. Bundesliga games at 6:30 PM and will also take over Bundesliga games at 8:30 PM on Fridays. Sky will also show all Bundesliga games at 3:30 PM individually, as well as the top game at 6:30 PM on Saturdays. ZDF will continue to show the "Sportstudio" on Saturday nights, with highlights of all Saturday games, including the 6:30 PM top game [1].
The 2. Bundesliga begins on August 1 with the game between FC Schalke 04 and Hertha BSC. The 2025/26 Bundesliga season commences on August 22 with FC Bayern Munich against RB Leipzig. Sat.1 will broadcast several games live and for free in the 2025/26 season, including the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga season openers, Friday games on the last matchday before the winter break and the first matchday after the winter break, the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, and all relegation games [1].
Sunday games will continue to be shown by DAZN, with up to three live matches - at 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM, and in 15 cases per season, also at 7:30 PM. Sky will continue to show 2. Bundesliga games at 1:30 PM on Sundays, with certain games also being broadcast on free-to-air TV on certain Sundays, including August 3 [1].
RTL+ will show highlights of all 617 games from both leagues, the relegation games, and the Supercup immediately after the final whistle from the 2025/26 season. A new addition for Friday nights in the 2025/26 season is the "Sportschau" on ARD at 11:10 PM, which will show highlights of the respective Friday games from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga [1].
Free Bundesliga football will continue in the 2025/26 season, but most live games will remain behind a paywall. Free highlights will be available from Monday on ZDF. The financial distribution to clubs sees top earners like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen receive between €75 million and €83.4 million, while newly promoted clubs like Hamburg earn around €31.4 million in TV revenue [3][5].
In summary, the 2025/26 season introduces a refreshed domestic TV rights deal with a modest increase in value, a refined distribution formula focusing on performance and youth, a notable shift in English broadcast partners with DAZN's new role, and enhanced coverage of the 2. Bundesliga, marking a significant evolution in how German top-tier football is broadcast and monetized compared to previous seasons.
[1] Bundesliga.com [2] Sky Sports [3] DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga [5] Sport Bild
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft decision on the application of the principle of subsidiarity, given the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, particularly in regard to football. For instance, German football fans can watch Friday and Saturday Bundesliga matches on Sky Sports, while DAZN secures exclusive rights for Sunday matches and the Konferenz rights for the first time.
