Belgium’s leading telecom operators are rebuilding ties with DAZN after a turbulent season for the country’s football rights market, with both Proximus and Telenet now confirming new carriage agreements ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The deals represent a major strategic victory for DAZN after months of uncertainty surrounding distribution of the Belgian Pro League, following a dispute over wholesale carriage agreements that threatened the viability of the streamer’s domestic football rights deal.
Telenet’s agreement is particularly significant because the operator has historically been one of the key distribution platforms for Belgian football through its Play Sports proposition. Under the new arrangement, all Jupiler Pro League matches will once again be available live to Telenet customers from next season onwards.
The agreement restores Belgian football to Telenet’s Play Sports package after a season in which matches were largely available only directly through DAZN’s streaming platform.
From the 2026/27 season, Play Sports subscribers will receive access to the full DAZN Total package, including the Jupiler Pro League, Challenger Pro League and Women’s Super League, alongside international properties such as LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and NBA coverage. Matches will be available through both linear television channels and the DAZN app.
“Belgian football belongs in the living room,” said Dieter Nieuwdorp. “From next season onwards, through Play Sports, customers will once again be able to access their favourite Belgian club, complemented by the best of European top football from DAZN’s portfolio.”
Telenet is also using the agreement to re-engage subscribers immediately, offering eight Champions’ Play-offs matches free to all customers with a Telenet TV box during the closing weeks of the current season.
The operator’s return is especially important because DAZN’s Belgian football strategy had come under severe pressure after it failed to secure enough wholesale distribution partners following its 2024 rights renewal.
Under the original agreement with the Pro League, DAZN was required to secure broader market distribution through telecom operators. After negotiations with Telenet, Proximus and other distributors stalled, DAZN attempted to terminate the contract in late 2025, arguing the commercial model had become unworkable.
Belgian arbitration authorities subsequently ordered DAZN to continue broadcasting the competition and honour payment obligations to the league.
The new Telenet and Proximus agreements now effectively restore the broad distribution model Belgian football relied on historically, combining direct-to-consumer streaming with traditional operator partnerships.
The developments also underline the continuing importance of telecom distribution in European sports markets, even as DAZN continues pushing its global streaming strategy.
