Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE) has signed a landmark partnership with FIFA, acquiring broadcast and digital rights to 39 FIFA tournaments in India from 2026 to 2034. The deal covers marquee events including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, and a range of youth, women’s, and futsal competitions, along with exclusive documentary content tied to these tournaments.
The football calendar begins immediately, with the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to kick off on June 11, 2026. To support the expanded sports offering, Zee has launched four dedicated channels – Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD – alongside multilingual streaming on Zee5.
Zee CEO Punit Goenka described the move as a strategic investment in a sport with strong cross-demographic appeal, emphasising the company’s focus on growth and long-term profitability. FIFA’s Chief Business Officer Romy Gai echoed this sentiment, calling India a market of strategic importance given its young and passionate fanbase, and expressing confidence in Zee’s multi-platform distribution capabilities.
Deputy CEO Mukund Galgali highlighted football’s “under-leveraged potential” in India, framing the rights acquisition as a foundation for sustainable value creation. Chief Operating Officer Sandeep Mehrotra pointed to the advertising opportunity, noting that the sports portfolio gives brands access to diverse consumer segments through live sporting moments.
The deal marks Zee’s clearest signal yet of its ambition to build a serious, diversified sports business in one of the world’s fastest-growing media markets.
