Bell Media to Carry All 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches Across Platforms

Bell Media's comprehensive, multi-platform strategy for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, utilizing HDR, multi-language feeds, and extensive digital content, sets a new benchmark for major sports event broadcasting in Canada. This approach maximizes reach and engagement, particularly with the tournament on home soil. Competitively, it highlights the increasing emphasis broadcasters place on delivering customized viewer experiences across various consumption points to capture diverse audiences. Moving forward, watch for how these advanced delivery methods influence subscriber numbers and advertising revenue for Bell Media's streaming properties during and after the tournament.

Leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026, Bell Media has detailed its expansive broadcast plans, aiming to capitalize on the tournament being co-hosted in Canada (Bell Media Press Release, June 2026). This includes the announcement of key talent and programming across TSN and RDS (TSN, May 2026). The decision to offer all 104 matches, alongside features like HDR and multi-language commentary via Spalk, underscores a trend observed globally where major sporting events are increasingly used to drive subscriptions and engagement across a broadcaster's entire ecosystem. For instance, in other markets, rights holders have similarly invested in bespoke digital experiences and localized content to cater to diverse fan bases. The integration of WSC Sports for vertical video highlights also aligns with broader industry efforts to tailor content for social media and mobile consumption, recognizing changing viewer habits (Sports Video Group, April 2026). As soccer's popularity continues to grow in Canada, particularly with the national team's increased visibility, Bell Media's investment positions them to leverage this interest across linear, digital, and radio platforms.