Deutsche Telekom Wins 2026 World Cup Rights In Germany

German telecommunications entity Deutsche Telekom has landed the German broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup, according to domestic tabloid Bild.

With the rights acquisition, MagentaTV, Telekom’s TV platform, could air all 104 matches live from the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The Bonn-based company previously acquired rights to the 2024 European Championship, airing some matches exclusively – a move that boosted profits and drew new viewers to its TV service.

It’s the second major finals in a row that ARD and ZDF, both public broadcast institutions, have been outbid by Telekom.

However, the pair could acquire a sublicense from Telekom to broadcast matches – as could competitor RTL. In 2022, the public broadcasters sublicensed rights of the Qatar World Cup to Telekom and will be hoping for a reciprocal arrangement this time.

ZDF Director General Norbert Himmler had made it clear early on in the tender process that ARD and ZDF couldn’t afford to secure all World Cup broadcasting rights on their own.

FIFA launched the tender for 2026 World Cup broadcast rights unusually late, holding off until January 9 to invite bids – a delay tied to the reallocation of Bundesliga rights for the 2025-26 season. Bidders had until February 13 to submit offers.

In Germany, major sporting events are protected and must be broadcast free-to-air. A broadcasting treaty states that all matches of the German national team as well as the opening match, the semi-finals and the final of the World Cup must be on free-to-air television.

The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest ever with 48 participants for the first time – with up to six matches a day in different time zones in the group stages.

Insideworldfootball.com