DAZN expands Latin American footprint via multi-year DirecTV distribution deal

The deal cements DAZN’s strategy of localizing its global 'sports operating system' by leveraging established pay-TV infrastructure rather than competing solely on a DTC basis. By securing World Cup access in key South American markets, DAZN addresses regional demand for high-tier football while mitigating the financial risk of a full acquisition. This commercial middle ground allows DAZN to scale its user base toward its 2025 revenue target of $5 billion without the immediate valuation complexities of a merger. Watch for total subscriber conversion rates in these territories following the World Cup to see if DAZN pursues the rumored acquisition of DirecTV’s digital assets.

The commercial tie-up follows a period of aggressive global expansion and financial restructuring for DAZN. Per SportsPro and Reuters (October 2025/May 2026), DAZN narrowed its pre-tax losses to $936 million in 2024, down from $1.4 billion the previous year, while increasing revenue to $3.2 billion. The company’s growth strategy has relied heavily on significant capital injections—over $7 billion to date from billionaire Len Blavatnik and a $1 billion investment from Saudi Arabia's SURJ Sports Investment in early 2025. These funds have fueled major acquisitions, including the $2.1 billion purchase of Australia’s Foxtel Group in 2024, which added a large, stable subscriber base and diversified DAZN's revenue beyond pure streaming.

In Latin America, the context is defined by rapid digital migration and fierce competition for live sports. Per Omdia (January 2026), the region's online video revenue is projected to reach $34 billion by the end of 2026, with live football acting as the primary driver for OTT adoption. DirecTV Latin America, which was acquired by Grupo Werthein from AT&T in 2021, has pivoted toward a 'technomedia' model through its holding company Waiken ILW. According to BNAmericas (November 2025), Grupo Werthein is investing $450 million through 2031 to expand its technology and connectivity services, including new fiber and satellite broadband offerings.

This partnership also reflects a broader trend of cross-platform collaboration to verify audience scale. Dataxis (February 2026) notes that 76% of broadcasters in Latin America's top markets now rely on streaming distribution for major events. DAZN's sub-licensing activity, such as providing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup rights to DirecTV, suggests a maturation where pure-play streamers and traditional pay-TV operators prioritize distribution reach over exclusivity to manage the high costs of Tier-1 sports rights.