DAZN forced to maintain broadcasts and payments to the Belgian league after Cepani decision

Streaming platform DAZN has been ordered by Centro of Arbitragem and Mediação of The agreement, valued at €84.2 million per season, had been questioned by the company in November 2025, which claimed it was commercially unviable due to the lack of distribution agreements with local operators. The provisional decision guarantees the continuity of broadcasts and payments until the end of the 2025/26 season, with a daily fine of up to €50,000 in case of non-compliance.

The measure was taken in an emergency arbitration process initiated by Pro League after the withholding of a payment of €6.6 million for December. The five-season contract, signed at the end of 2024 and in force since the beginning of the current season, provides for exclusivity in the national broadcast of Jupiler Pro League matches. DAZN argues that the lack of partnerships with providers like Proximus and Telenet limited the reach of the content to its own application only.

Pro League celebrated the determination, highlighting that it protects clubs and fans. The decision also obliges the platform to resume negotiations with telecommunications operators and maintain anti-piracy and geoblocking measures.

• Continuity of national broadcasts of matches;
• Full payment of pending and future contractual installments;
• Maintenance of technical production and distribution;
• Mandatory negotiations with local operators for greater reach.

Details of the arbitration decision

The Cepani established provisional measures that bind DAZN until June 30, 2026, or until further deliberation by the full arbitration panel, which will be formed in the coming weeks. The entity determined the immediate payment of the amounts withheld and the continuity of signal production for all remaining rounds.

The daily fine of €50,000 acts as a coercive mechanism to ensure compliance. Pro League requested emergency arbitration shortly after the unilateral termination notice sent by DAZN in November 2025.

Context of the renegotiated agreement

The current contract resulted from a renegotiation carried out at the end of 2024, reducing the previous annual value from around €103 million to €84.2 million. The reduction aimed to adapt the agreement to market conditions, maintaining DAZN as the exclusive holder of domestic rights until the 2029/30 season.

The platform is committed to seeking wider distribution through partnerships with pay TV and telecommunications operators. Sem these agreements, matches remained accessible only through the DAZN app, which the company considered financially unsustainable.

Despite the exclusivity, the company closed secondary agreements for highlights with public broadcasters such as VRT and RTBF. Esses pacts guarantee round summaries on open channels, but do not replace the complete live broadcast.

Reactions from the parties involved

Lorin Parys, executive director of Pro League, stated that the decision directly benefits fans and clubs. Ele emphasized the importance of financial stability for teams, some of which rely heavily on broadcast rights revenue.

Massimo D’Amario, executive director of DAZN at Bélgica, clarified that the provisional measures do not represent a definitive judgment on the company’s legal position. Ele reiterated the expectation that the full arbitration panel will validate the contractual termination based on viability and competition issues.

The company remains willing to negotiate balanced agreements that preserve commercial stability. The statement reinforces that the platform remains committed to the Belgian market, despite the difficulties faced.

Recent platform measures

DAZN announced the release of free broadcasts of Croky Cup, the Belgian national cup, for the remainder of the season. The measure covers all remaining matches of the competition, without the need for a paid subscription.

In addition to the Belgian cup, international competitions such as FA Cup, Coppa Italia, DFB-Pokal and Trophée des Champions will also have free access. The initiative seeks to expand the reach of content and improve relations with the local public during the period of contractual dispute.

These releases do not change the subscription requirement for Jupiler Pro League games. The strategy demonstrates the platform’s effort to mitigate criticism about the limited accessibility of the championship’s matches.

Contractual obligations maintained

The Cepani decision reinforces the need for full compliance with the original clauses until further assessment. Isso includes high-quality technical production and implementation of agreed anti-piracy tools.

The platform is expected to immediately resume negotiations with Proximus, Telenet and Orange for potential distribution agreements. The objective is to expand the reach of broadcasts beyond DAZN’s own application.

Failure to comply with any item may trigger the established daily penalties. The measure protects Pro League from immediate financial losses while the main process is being processed.

Trading history

Negotiations for renewal began before the end of 2024, when DAZN already held rights to the Belgian league. The renegotiation resulted in a significant reduction in the annual value to adapt to the economic conditions of the sports streaming market.

The company faced similar difficulties in other European countries with direct-to-consumer distribution models. The lack of broad partnerships with local operators was a determining factor in the attempted termination.

Despite the challenges, DAZN maintained uninterrupted broadcast of matches even after the November notification. Essa continuity avoided an immediate blackout and allowed service to be maintained for existing subscribers.

Implications for Belgian clubs

The 16 clubs in Jupiler Pro League depend on revenue from media rights for financial balance. Guaranteeing payments until June preserves budget planning for the current season.

Some smaller teams could face serious difficulties if funding were abruptly interrupted. The arbitration award provides temporary stability while the main litigation progresses.

The current limitation of access only through the DAZN app reduces the overall visibility of the championship. Clubes seek greater exposure to attract sponsors and engage fans.

Belgian market outlook

The exclusive streaming model faces resistance in smaller European markets. Traditional Operadoras still have a large base of pay TV subscribers in Bélgica.

The absence of agreements with Proximus and Telenet restricts the potential reach of Pro League. The Cepani decision forces the resumption of negotiations that had been interrupted.

The case highlights challenges for OTT platforms in completely replacing traditional distribution models. Reliance on local partnerships remains crucial for commercial viability in many countries.

Pro League maintains a firm position in defending the original contract. The entity prioritizes protecting the collective interests of clubs and fans during the process.

DAZN strategies in the country

The platform invests in additional content to compensate for major league distribution limitations. The release of national and international cups seeks to increase the perceived value of the subscription.

These actions demonstrate an attempt to regain trust among the Belgian public. The company maintains active operations in the market despite the ongoing contractual dispute.

The final resolution of the full arbitration panel will define the future of the multi-year agreement. Até there, the provisional measures guarantee the continuity of Belgian football on the platform.

The case follows global dynamics of sports broadcasting rights. Plataformas companies seek a balance between high investments and commercial returns in different markets.