The global sports streaming platform, DAZN, has expanded its international football portfolio after securing global broadcast rights to the Kings League’s flagship competitions for the 2026 season, underlining its strategic push into creator-led and digitally native football formats.
The agreement is headlined by the Kings World Cup Nations, which is currently underway in Brazil and runs from 3 to 17 January. DAZN is delivering coverage of the tournament across most international markets, including Europe, Asia, Canada, Oceania, and sub-Saharan Africa. The competition is available free to watch in the majority of territories, with France the primary market where coverage sits behind DAZN’s subscription offering.
The Kings World Cup Nations brings together 20 national teams competing in a fast-paced seven-a-side format that blends traditional football with entertainment-driven mechanics designed for digital-first audiences. The tournament features a group-stage phase followed by knockout rounds, with the final scheduled to be played at Allianz Parque in São Paulo.
Beyond the global tournament, DAZN has also secured domestic broadcast rights for Kings League competitions in Spain, Italy, and Germany, which will run from March to May 2026. Coverage in each market will feature localised commentary and production, reinforcing the league’s market-specific growth strategy.
Shay Segev, DAZN Group CEO, said, “DAZN’s ambition is to be the global home of football, and Kings League represents the kind of innovation fans want from the sport. DAZN is the ideal partner to grow the Kings League’s audience worldwide, due to our global reach, pioneering technology, and the power of our marketing engine. This agreement strengthens DAZN’s position as the ultimate destination for the most exciting football formats and complements our global football rights portfolio, which includes the world’s most popular leagues and competitions.”
Djamel Agaoua, Kings League CEO, added, “Kings League has been a revolution in sports entertainment, becoming the world’s leading creator-led sports brand in just three years, and now running competitions in seven major markets as well as two World Cup tournaments. DAZN will bring our revolutionary brand of football to audiences around the globe, on world-class digital streaming and broadcasting platforms, making sure that millions of homes have the chance to watch the Kings World Cup Nations and other competitions in 2026.”
Founded by former FC Barcelona and Spain international Gerard Piqué, the Kings League has emerged as one of the most disruptive properties in modern football. Its short-format matches, interactive rules, and involvement of high-profile streamers, creators, and former professional players have positioned the league at the intersection of sport, digital media, and popular culture.
The Kings World Cup Nations features more than 250 Kings League players and is supported by a roster of globally recognised football figures. The tournament is led by president Ronaldo Nazário, with team captains and ambassadors including Robert Lewandowski, Wesley Sneijder, Arturo Vidal, Kun Agüero, James Rodríguez, Miguel Layún, and Weston McKennie. Hosts Brazil enter the competition as defending world champions and are aiming to retain the title on home soil.
For DAZN, the partnership reflects a broader rights strategy that extends beyond traditional 11-a-side football. By investing in alternative formats such as the Kings League, the platform is targeting younger demographics and deeper engagement across digital and social channels, while complementing its coverage of established leagues and global tournaments.
As the Kings World Cup Nations progress in Brazil, the deal highlights the growing commercial and broadcast appeal of hybrid football properties, as platforms and rights holders increasingly look to scalable, globally relevant content aligned with evolving fan consumption habits.
