DAZN

DAZN is a British-based global over-the-top sports streaming service that has reshaped how live sports are consumed. Launched in 2015, it operates as a for-profit media and technology company, offering live and on-demand content directly to subscribers via the internet. The platform covers a wide range of sports including football, boxing, MMA, basketball, and more, and is available in over 200 countries and territories. DAZN is owned by Access Industries, the investment vehicle of billionaire Len Blavatnik, and is headquartered in London, England.

The service is often described as the "Netflix of Sports" for its subscription-based model that bundles multiple sports under a single monthly fee, challenging traditional pay-TV packages. DAZN has secured exclusive rights to major properties such as UEFA Champions League, Serie A, La Liga, and the NFL, and has become a dominant force in boxing, signing long-term deals with promoters like Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions. Its aggressive rights acquisitions have driven up the value of sports media rights globally, forcing traditional broadcasters to adapt.

DAZN has also expanded into original programming, producing documentaries, studio shows, and analysis segments. In 2022, it launched DAZN Bet, a sports betting arm integrated with live streaming, reflecting a convergence of viewing and wagering. The company employs roughly 3,000 people globally and reported revenue of approximately $1.5 billion in 2022. While still operating at a loss due to heavy content spending, it aims for profitability by 2026.[edit]

DAZN's mission is to make sports accessible to a global audience on any device, disrupting traditional cable and satellite models. The company aims to become the world's leading destination for live sports streaming by offering a flexible, subscription-based service that provides coverage of major leagues and events across multiple markets. It seeks to democratize access to premium sports content, particularly in boxing, where it offers a single subscription for major fights previously locked behind pay-per-view.[edit]

DAZN was launched on July 8, 2015, in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland by Perform Group, a sports media and data company founded by Simon Denyer and Alan Switzer in 2007. The name "DAZN" is derived from "da zone" (the zone), signifying a dedicated space for sports fans. The service was initially conceived as a pure-play streaming alternative to traditional pay-TV sports packages, offering a single subscription for multiple sports. Perform Group leveraged its existing relationships from its data and digital rights business to secure early broadcasting rights, including the Bundesliga and Champions League.

In 2016, DAZN expanded to Japan, securing rights to the J.League and Major League Baseball. The following year, it launched in Canada, acquiring rights to the NFL, NBA, and Premier League. A major turning point came in 2018, when Perform Group rebranded its entire consumer-facing business under the DAZN name and sold its data and media services division (Opta, RunningBall, Watch&Bet) to Vista Equity Partners, allowing DAZN to focus solely on direct-to-consumer streaming. That same year, DAZN entered the US market with a $1 billion deal for boxing rights, including a long-term partnership with Matchroom Boxing and a record-breaking contract with Canelo Álvarez.

The company continued its global push in 2019, launching in Italy and Spain with Serie A and La Liga rights. In 2020, it acquired exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League in parts of Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted live events, forcing a pivot to archive content and original programming. In 2021, Shay Segev became CEO, and DAZN raised $500 million from Access Industries. The following year, it acquired BT Sport in the UK, later merging operations with Warner Bros. Discovery to form TNT Sports. In 2024, DAZN received a $500 million investment from SURJ Sports Investment, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and launched an ad-supported subscription tier in the US.[edit]