Global spend on sports media rights is expected to top $78 billion (€73 billion) by 2030, according to new forecasts from Ampere Analysis.
The research firm predicts investment will grow by 20% between 2025 and 2030, driven by major US rights renewals and intensified competition from global streaming platforms for premium live sport.
Ampere says the United States will remain the engine of growth, with the new NBA rights cycle beginning in the 2025–26 season and fresh MLB deals from 2029 pushing the US market to more than $36 billion in 2030. Further upside could come if the NFL moves to renegotiate its long-term contracts: while many current agreements run to 2034, Ampere expects initial discussions as early as 2026.
In Europe, sports rights spend is forecast to rise a more modest 17%, from $18.3 billion in 2025 to $21.3 billion in 2030. Despite recent downward pressure in some auctions, Ampere believes the growing appetite of global streamers for live sport will help stoke competition in upcoming tenders. Major events including the 2030 FIFA World Cup and Winter Olympics are also expected to underpin value.
Rights holders are already courting the big platforms. Ampere highlights UEFA’s latest Champions League sales process, where agency partner Relevent has helped secure deals with Paramount as one example of streamers being pulled more deeply into European football rights.
In Asia, media rights spend is projected to climb from $7.2 billion in 2025 to $9.9 billion in 2030, with Indian cricket a key growth driver. New packages for the Indian Premier League and ICC tournaments, including future T20 World Cups, are expected to command higher fees from 2027 onwards.
“Sports rights remain a reliable driver of value in media,” said Dan Harraghy, senior research manager – sports at Ampere Analysis. “Major US renegotiations will shape the next rights cycle… At the same time, the growing involvement of global streaming platforms has the potential to reshape competition in European tenders, while new cricket rights deals in Asia will also increase in value. Together, these dynamics will lift worldwide spend to more than $78 billion by 2030.”
