The new deal will run through 2031 and represents a 25 percent uplift on the previous agreement, which was signed last year and was due to expire at the end of the 2027/28 season.
International Rights Continue to Power Growth
The extension comes at a pivotal moment for the Premier League as it prepares for its next global media cycle. Most international broadcast contracts are set to expire in 2028, and overseas rights have become the primary engine behind the league’s commercial expansion.
For the 2025 to 2028 cycle, the Premier League generated a record £12.25 billion in combined domestic and international media and commercial revenue, marking a 17 percent increase compared to the previous cycle.
Notably, this growth was largely fuelled by rising international deals, offsetting a shift in domestic economics.
Domestic Deal: Record Value, Lower Per-Game Cost
While the Premier League’s new domestic agreement with Sky Sports and TNT Sports is worth £6.7 billion over four years, the cost per game has fallen compared to previous cycles.
However, the overall contract remains a record because the league increased the number of live matches available to broadcasters from 210 to a minimum of 268 per season.
This structural adjustment reflects a broader trend in sports broadcasting, where expanding inventory compensates for pricing pressure while maintaining total value.
Strategic Timing Ahead of 2029 Cycle
The ESPN renewal was presented to clubs at the latest shareholders meeting, where league executives also discussed potential structural changes to commercial rights, including the centralisation of pitchside advertising inventory.
Looking further ahead, the Premier League has reportedly opened discussions with the English Football League (EFL) about potentially lifting the long-standing Saturday 3pm blackout from the 2029 domestic cycle onwards.
If implemented, the change would allow the league to sell rights to all 380 matches per season, significantly expanding broadcast inventory and potentially unlocking additional media revenue.
A Global Growth Story
The South American and Caribbean extension underlines the Premier League’s global strength. The region has long been a stronghold for English football viewership, and ESPN’s continued commitment provides stability ahead of broader international rights negotiations.
With international deals increasingly compensating for mature domestic markets, the Premier League’s strategy is clear: maximise global distribution, expand live inventory, and maintain its position as the world’s most commercially powerful domestic football league.
As media fragmentation accelerates and rights cycles approach renewal, international markets such as South America will remain central to the Premier League’s long-term growth trajectory.
Sources: SportsPro
