beIN SPORTS to Broadcast EuroLeague in France Starting 2026-27 Season

beIN SPORTS has officially announced it will become the exclusive broadcaster of EuroLeague in France, Monaco, Andorra and the French overseas territories beginning with the 2026-27 season. According to the Euroleague Basketball announcement, the agreement includes live TV rights for all games of the two French clubs currently in EuroLeague – ASVEL Villeurbanne and Paris Basketball – plus one selected marquee game per round to maximise viewership. The deal is seen as a breakthrough in EuroLeague’s market‑expansion strategy, as France is identified as one of the fastest‑growing basketball markets in Europe. According to the announcement, beIN SPORTS will not only broadcast live all ASVEL and Paris Basketball games but will also have the right to pick one marquee match each round to add to its schedule. This flexible condition lets the broadcaster focus on the most attractive match‑ups, such as clashes between former champions like Olympiacos, Real Madrid or Fenerbahce. Selecting a marquee game each round also reflects an intention to optimise advertising revenue and attract viewers through star‑laden storylines, especially as EuroLeague increasingly features former NBA players. The agreement was signed as EuroLeague seeks to strengthen its presence on linear TV after years of focusing on its OTT platform, EuroLeague TV. Florent Houzot, beIN SPORTS Programming Director, said the partnership brings “passion and excitement” to French basketball fans, while Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Euroleague Basketball CMO, stressed that the cooperation will help the league reach “one of the most vibrant basketball communities” in Western Europe. Both sides emphasised the goal of inspiring the younger generation to take up sport. From an economic standpoint, although the exact rights fee has not been disclosed, analysts believe the package – covering every game of the two French sides plus a marquee match each round – could command a high value because it targets a market with strong growth potential. Recent figures show a steady rise in French basketball viewership year on year, largely driven by the national team’s success in FIBA competitions and the emergence of Victor Wembanyama in the NBA. The French clubs currently occupy different positions in the EuroLeague hierarchy. ASVEL Villeurbanne, a club with tradition dating back to the 1940s, regularly reaches the playoffs and is regarded as a stable mid‑table side. Paris Basketball, founded in 2026, has risen rapidly, winning the 2026‑26 Ligue 1 title and earning a EuroLeague wild‑card spot. Their presence on beIN SPORTS is expected to create a virtuous cycle where on‑court success drives higher viewership and vice‑versa. The announcement also notes that the EuroLeague SuperCup will be held in Abu Dhabi in late August 2026, with the semi‑finals featuring Olympiacos versus Fenerbahce and Real Madrid versus Dubai Basketball. This marks the first time EuroLeague stages its SuperCup outside Europe, reflecting a push into the Middle East and opening the possibility of future franchises in the region. Although still new, Dubai Basketball has shown ambition by investing heavily in facilities and attracting several EuroLeague‑experienced players. For Israeli sides such as Maccabi Tel Aviv, the 2026‑27 schedule includes an away game at ASVEL Villeurbanne (see point 17 of the release). This fixture regularly raises security concerns given the geopolitical situation in the Eastern Mediterranean. EuroLeague has prepared heightened security measures, but there remains a chance the match could be relocated or played behind closed doors if conditions deteriorate. From a media perspective, beIN SPORTS already holds broadcast rights for major basketball competitions including the NBA, WNBA, FIBA and NCAA. Adding EuroLeague to its portfolio enables beIN to create linked programming bundles, cross‑promote and optimise subscriber‑acquisition costs. Analysts believe EuroLeague’s presence on beIN could also boost the value of the rights package when compared with rival broadcasters in France such as Canal+ or beIN Sports France. Risk factors highlighted in the analysis include: (1) the lack of disclosed financial figures, making it hard to assess whether the fee is market‑rate; (2) the risk of declining viewership if the two French clubs fail to stay competitive, a risk beIN mitigates by retaining the right to pick a marquee game each round; (3) security concerns linked to games involving Maccabi Tel Aviv; and (4) EU competition‑law scrutiny of exclusive multi‑territory broadcast rights, although this model is common and generally accepted. Looking ahead, the beIN–EuroLeague deal could open new opportunities for both parties. For EuroLeague, the TV‑rights revenue from France can be pooled into the league’s shared profit fund and distributed to clubs, thereby improving their ability to pay salaries and invest in academies. For beIN, having a premium basketball product will increase the stickiness of its subscription bundle and lower churn, especially amid intense competition from global streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, DAZN and various local platforms. In summary, the news that beIN SPORTS will broadcast EuroLeague in France is more than a routine media transaction – it is a strategic signal of growing interest in French basketball on the European stage. With both French clubs guaranteed full‑season coverage and a marquee game each round, the league hopes to attract a new fan‑base ecosystem while reinforcing its position in the battle for sports‑broadcasting rights worldwide. The coming months will be crucial to see whether the parties can deliver on their promises and turn them into tangible benefits for fans, clubs and the basketball industry as a whole.