EFL extends beIN Sports broadcast rights to 2027/28

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Image credit: EFL website

The English Football League (EFL) has extended its broadcast rights agreement with pay-tv provider beIN Sports for an additional four years, offering more games for international fans in 27 territories.

This renewal, which runs through the end of the 2027/28 season, includes the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as well as France, Australia, and New Zealand.

Under the agreement, the Qatari-based network will broadcast more than 300 fixtures each season.

It will be split across 155 EFL Championship matches, 38 League One and League Two games each, and, for the first time ever, all 93 Carabao Cup fixtures.

In Australia, beIN Sports first held full EFL rights in 2015 and will continue well past the 10 year mark as fans of the other leagues now only require a beIN Connect subscription to view every game at $14.99/month.

The extension was negotiated by Pitch International, which manages the EFL’s media rights across Europe, MENA and Asia-Pacific.

Pitch International has successfully negotiated record US and domestic deals that allow every EFL game to be viewed via a legal stream, excluding the 3pm Saturday kick-offs in England (due to the enforced TV blackout).

Mohammad Al-Subaie, CEO of beIN MENA spoke about the great relationship the broadcaster have with the EFL.

“In addition to being the oldest football league in the world, the EFL is also one of the most competitive football ecosystems globally,” Al-Subaie said in a beIN Group media release.

“BeIN is proud to see its relationship with the EFL extended until the end of the 2027-28 season, by which time we will have been together for more than 18 years.

“We look forward to four more years of drama and tension, talent and determination, and are delighted to continue to provide our subscribers access to the finest moments and greatest matches from every corner of English football.”

This is great news for EFL fans in Australia, who can continue watching their favourite teams without needing to switch providers. With beIN Sports also offering coverage of Serie A, Ligue 1 & 2, and La Liga, fans can enjoy a comprehensive football experience with a single subscription.

The EFL has identified the Asia-Pacific region as a key market for future expansion, and securing extended broadcast rights in this area is an important first step toward reaching that goal.

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Growing Football Community Grants Support Capital Football Clubs

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Image credit: Northern NSW Football

Five Capital Football clubs have been awarded funding through Football Australia’s 2025/26 Growing Football Community Grants, supported by CommBank. Brindabella Blues, Burns FC, South Canberra, Tigers FC, and Weston Molonglo are the latest clubs to benefit from the initiative.

The Growing Football Community Grant program aims to assist clubs and associations in promoting the participation of women and girls in football. It also seeks to improve the experience for both new and returning players, support the training and development of community coaches, and create inclusive, safe environments that encourage lasting engagement.

Since its launch in 2023, the Growing Football Fund has awarded three rounds of Community Grants, benefiting 297 clubs nationwide—including 93 in regional and remote areas, highlighting the program’s dedication to increasing access and opportunities for football across Australia.

This ongoing investment plays a crucial role in helping Football Australia and CommBank achieve their ambitious target of engaging 50,000 female participants by 2026.

Football Australia Interim Chief Executive Officer, Heather Garriock praised the program’s impact on communities nationwide.

“We’re incredibly proud to see the Growing Football Fund continuing to make such a meaningful impact at the community level. These grants are not just about financial support – they’re about empowering clubs to create environments where women and girls feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to stay in the game,” she said via press release.

“It’s particularly exciting to see so many regional clubs amongst this year’s recipients, reflecting our ongoing commitment to growing football opportunities in every corner of the country.”

Commonwealth Bank Group Executive, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Monique Macleod emphasised its ongoing support for community football and the role of the Growing Football Fund in creating opportunities for women and girls.

“We’re proud to support grassroots football with the Growing Football Fund. This fund is all about giving more communities the chance to get involved, have a kick, and build a brighter future through football,” she said via press release.

“CommBank has backed this grants program from day one, and it’s great to see how these grants are already making a real difference for women and girls by opening up more opportunities and helping them stay connected to the game.”

Click here to view the full Growing Football Community Grant recipients.

Apollo Sports Capital Acquires Majority Stake in Atlético de Madrid

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Image credit: Marta Fernandez Jimenez / Shutterstock.com

Atlético de Madrid and its principal shareholders Miguel Ángel Gil, Enrique Cerezo, Quantum Pacific Group, and Ares Management funds confirmed an agreement for Apollo Sports Capital (ASC), Apollo’s global sports investment platform (NYSE: APO), to acquire a majority stake in the Club.

The shareholder group plans to inject additional capital to advance the Club’s long-term strategy, with a focus on strengthening Atlético de Madrid’s teams and developing key infrastructure projects. Among these is Ciudad del Deporte, a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment district beside the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, designed to become a global hub for sport, culture, and community life.

Supported by Apollo’s experience in sports and media, ASC aims to turn the area into a dynamic hub for sport, culture, and community activity.

ASC’s investment will strengthen Atlético de Madrid’s standing among the world’s leading football clubs and advance its goal of achieving sustained success for its global fan base. As long-term partners, ASC and the current shareholders will work alongside the Club’s management to bolster financial stability, sporting performance, and community engagement.

Atlético de Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil, shared his thoughts on the significance of the partnership and the Club’s ambitions for sustained growth.

“We are very proud to welcome a committed new partner to the club. Apollo Sports Capital is a powerful ally who respects the history, traditions and defining identity of Atlético de Madrid and its fans, while bringing additional strength and enthusiasm to help maintain our growth and competitiveness,” he said via press release.

“Looking ahead, together we see significant opportunity to drive strong, sustainable growth of Atlético de Madrid as we build on our remarkable legacy. It was important to me to select a long-term investment partner who believes in our strategy and can enhance our activities off the pitch with the development of Ciudad del Deporte.”

Apollo Partner and co-Portfolio Manager of ASC, Robert Givone, highlighted Apollo Sports Capital’s investment and shared goals with Atlético de Madrid.

“Atlético de Madrid is one of Europe’s great sporting institutions and we are honored for Apollo Sports Capital to invest in this storied club and its more than 120-year heritage. Miguel Ángel has done a tremendous job transforming Atlético and it was important to us that we invest behind his continued leadership, in addition to investing in the team and the local community,” he said via press release.

Apollo Sports Capital’s investment remains subject to standard closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is anticipated to be finalised in Q1 2026.

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