EPL To Launch In-House Production Hub In London

The English Premier League (EPL) is preparing to bring its international broadcast operations in-house, announcing that its new media production hub — Premier League Studios — will be based at Olympia London from 2026, marking a major strategic shift as its long-standing partnership with IMG draws to a close.

Currently, Premier League Productions (PLP) — the league’s joint venture with IMG — delivers matches and international content from IMG’s Stockley Park facility to more than 180 broadcasters globally. That arrangement will end in 2026, after which the league will assume full control of production under its new Premier League Studios banner.

The move is underpinned by a 20-year lease agreement for 73,000 sq ft of space at One Olympia, a newly redeveloped office complex in Kensington that forms part of the wider £1.3 billion regeneration of Olympia London.

The site, led by Yoo Capital and Deutsche Finance International, will also feature a 4,000-seat music venue, a 1,575-seat theatre, two hotels, an international convention centre, and over 30 bars and restaurants.

The announcement follows the appointment of former BT Sport tech chief Andy Beale as the EPL’s director of technology, signalling the league’s ambition to control not just the content but also the technical means of its global distribution.

It’s a bold step toward centralising production and innovation in-house, potentially reducing long-term costs while increasing creative and commercial flexibility. For a competition with one of the most valuable international media rights portfolios in sport, the move offers tighter control over how the EPL is packaged and delivered worldwide.

Paul Molnar, chief media officer at the Premier League, said: “We are excited to be moving to Olympia in 2026 as part of our plans to establish a new in-house media operations business. Olympia will provide Premier League Studios with state-of-the-art offices and facilities that will help us create a best-in-class content service for our broadcast partners and millions of passionate fans around the world.”

Lloyd Lee, co-founder and managing partner at Yoo Capital, said: “The Premier League is a global institution at the cutting edge of sport and media, and we are incredibly proud they have chosen Olympia as their new broadcast home. It is a powerful endorsement of our vision to create a new kind of urban destination bringing together creativity, innovation and business, for the best talent to do their best work.”

John Hitchcox, chairman at Yoo Capital, added: “Olympia has been a major landmark in London for almost 140 years and, as custodians of this iconic site, we are now working with our partners to write its next chapter as a global showcase.”

Frank Roccogrande, co-managing partner at Deutsche Finance International, added: “As we approach the start of Olympia’s phased opening, we are thrilled to welcome yet another world-class partner. The Premier League captivates millions of fans all around the world and we are delighted to have them on board.”

Insideworldfootball.com