The German Football Association (DFB) has opened the tender process for the national audiovisual media rights to the 3. Liga from the 2027/28 season onwards.
The current agreement, under which MagentaSport broadcasts all 380 matches live, expires in summer 2027.
The new rights cycle will again run for four years, covering the 2027/28 to 2030/31 seasons. The tender includes packages for live broadcasts and highlights rights across free‑to‑air and pay‑TV. The live rights are offered in three scenarios, and a single buyer may acquire all matches, according to DFB. At least 38 fixtures per season will remain free‑to‑air, with the possibility of a higher number depending on the bidding outcome.
The 3. Liga is Germany’s national third tier and sits directly below the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. It is operated by DFB, unlike the top two divisions, which are run by Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL). The league is widely regarded as a key development platform for young players and as a bridge between professional and semi‑professional football.
MagentaSport, the sports division of Deutsche Telekom’s TV platform MagentaTV, currently shows every match live and in full, with 312 games exclusive to the platform. Public broadcaster ARD and its regional affiliates may air two live matches per weekend and hold highlight rights alongside fellow public broadcaster ZDF. DAZN and Sky also hold highlight packages.
“The 3. Liga has developed excellently, both sporting and economically. It stands today as stable as never before,” said DFB General Secretary Dr Holger Blask. “With its high number of young, German players, it is a central component of talent development.” According to Blask, the new tender aims to further sharpen the media product 3. Liga and to make the fascination of the league visible for fans across Germany.
Companies may register their interest in the rights until 22 September 2026, and the auction phase is scheduled for 29 September to 1 October 2026. Interested parties can request the registration documents via ausschreibung.medienrechte@dfb.de.
