Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has acquired the exclusive broadcast and digital rights for Germany’s top-tier football league, the Bundesliga, in India for a five-year period beginning with the 2026–27 season, marking a significant expansion of its international football portfolio.
The agreement will see Bundesliga matches streamed exclusively on Zee5 while also being broadcast on Unite8 Sports channels. The coverage package will include live matches, highlights and additional football programming.
The acquisition comes months after ZEE secured rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further strengthening its position in the Indian football broadcasting market and deepening its association with global football properties.
Bundesliga to Reach Indian Audiences Through Multi-Platform Coverage
Under the new partnership, Indian football fans will gain access to one of Europe’s most popular football competitions, featuring some of the biggest names in world football.
Announcing the deal, Bavesh Janavlekar, Chief Business Officer – Unite8 Sports, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, said the Bundesliga’s appeal extends beyond elite football to its strong fan culture and player development model.
“Bundesliga is one of the most exciting football leagues in the world, renowned for its passionate fan culture, world-class clubs and commitment to developing young talent. Through this partnership, viewers will have the opportunity to watch some of the biggest stars in world football, including Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich and many other top international talents who light up Bundesliga week after week, across the year,” Janavlekar said.
The Bundesliga is widely regarded as one of Europe’s leading football leagues and is home to clubs such as FC Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and several other teams with strong international followings.
Grassroots Football Development to Form Part of Partnership
Beyond broadcasting, both organisations said the partnership will focus on football development initiatives in India.
Janavlekar said ZEE intends to use the collaboration to support grassroots football and youth talent development. “At ‘Z’, we remain committed to contributing to the growth of football in India. Through this partnership, we aim to create a meaningful and lasting impact by supporting grassroots development, strengthening pathways for young talent and enabling fans to actively participate in the growth journey of football in India.”
He added that the two organisations plan to launch a nationwide football development initiative. “Together with Bundesliga, we will also launch the ‘Z’ x Bundesliga Football Week, bringing grassroots football clinics and development programmes to young aspiring footballers across India, while providing access to world-class coaching expertise and international best practices.”
The announcement aligns with ZEE’s earlier commitment, made in June 2026, to allocate 15 per cent of Zee5’s football-related subscription revenue towards programmes focused on identifying, training and nurturing young football talent in India.
Bundesliga Highlights Long-Term Commitment to India
For the Bundesliga, the agreement reflects a broader strategy of strengthening its presence in India through fan engagement, partnerships and football development programmes.
Peer Naubert, Chief Commercial Officer of Bundesliga Media, said India has become a strategic market for the German league due to years of sustained engagement rather than purely broadcasting ambitions.
“We have been investing in India for many years because we believe long-term relevance is built through sustained local engagement, not broadcast reach alone. India is not simply a market for the Bundesliga; it is a country where we have consistently invested in football, in partnerships and in people.”
Highlighting the significance of the partnership with ZEE, Naubert added: “This partnership with ‘Z’ reflects that philosophy. Their outstanding reach, local expertise and multi-platform capabilities will bring the Bundesliga closer to millions of fans across India. Just as importantly, our shared commitment to grassroots football means we are investing not only in audiences, but in the long-term development of the game itself. For us, media partnerships mark the beginning of a long-term relationship, not the end of a transaction.”
He further said: “Together with ‘Z’, we want to inspire the next generation of Indian footballers, strengthen local football structures and deepen the connection between India and the Bundesliga for generations of football fans.”
Bundesliga’s Indian Fan Base Sees Rapid Growth
According to information released by ZEE, the Bundesliga’s fan base in India has grown by more than 50 per cent over the past four seasons.
The German league has been actively involved in India through youth development programmes, coaching initiatives, club activations and fan engagement activities aimed at strengthening local football ecosystems.
The new rights agreement is expected to provide greater visibility for German football in India while creating additional opportunities for collaboration in grassroots development and football education.
With the addition of the Bundesliga and the 2026 FIFA World Cup to its portfolio, ZEE is positioning itself as a major player in football broadcasting in India, while also linking media rights acquisition with broader efforts to support the growth of the sport at the grassroots level.
