Telefónica Pays €1.65B to Offer Full LaLiga on Movistar 2026

Telefónica has agreed to pay €1.65 billion over five years to acquire DAZN's five LaLiga matches per round, giving Movistar Plus+ the ability to offer all top-flight Spanish football. The deal, announced this week, underscores the enduring value of live sports rights in Spain's pay-TV market.

The move comes after Telefónica already secured rights to five matches per round from LaLiga for the 2027/28 to 2031/32 seasons, at a cost of €2.635 billion. That earlier agreement, reached in November 2025, split the residential rights equally between Telefónica and DAZN. Now, by sublicensing DAZN's portion, Telefónica can market a complete LaLiga package to its subscribers.

What Telefónica Gains from the DAZN Deal

Telefónica's existing LaLiga rights cover five matches per round, including first-pick privileges in 19 rounds and the second-leg Clásico. However, without DAZN's matches, Movistar could not claim to offer all of LaLiga. The new agreement bridges that gap.

Starting from the 2027/28 season, Telefónica will pay an additional €330 million per season to incorporate DAZN's five matches into its Movistar Plus+ platform. This brings Telefónica's total annual outlay for LaLiga to approximately €857 million, a significant bet on the power of live football to attract and retain subscribers.

• Total additional cost: €1.65 billion over five seasons (€330 million per year).
• Combined LaLiga rights: All 10 matches per round available on Movistar Plus+.
• Non-exclusive: DAZN retains rights to broadcast and commercialize its five matches.
• Strategic goal: Strengthen Movistar's position as the home of Spanish football.
• Market impact: Raises the bar for competitors and highlights football's premium value.

Why DAZN Agreed to Sublease Its Matches

DAZN, which had secured its own five-match package in the November 2025 auction, will continue to broadcast and exploit those matches. The sublease to Telefónica is non-exclusive, meaning DAZN can still offer its LaLiga content directly to consumers.

For DAZN, the deal provides a substantial revenue stream—€330 million per year—while retaining flexibility. It also reduces the financial risk of holding rights that require significant production and marketing investments. DAZN has been active in the Spanish market, but partnering with Telefónica allows it to monetize its investment without bearing the full cost of customer acquisition.

The Financial Stakes for Telefónica

Telefónica's total commitment to LaLiga now stands at over €4.28 billion for the five-season cycle (€2.635 billion for the initial package plus €1.65 billion for DAZN's matches). This is a massive sum, but it reflects the importance of football in driving subscriptions for Movistar Plus+.

The company has been investing heavily in content to differentiate its pay-TV service. Football remains the most powerful driver of subscriptions in Spain, and Telefónica's move ensures it can offer the most comprehensive coverage. The challenge will be to recoup the investment through subscriber growth and retention.

What This Means for Spanish Football Fans

For consumers, the deal could simplify access to LaLiga. Instead of needing multiple subscriptions to watch all matches, Movistar Plus+ customers will be able to see every game. However, the non-exclusive nature means DAZN will still offer its matches, potentially at a lower price or as part of a bundled package.

The agreement also raises questions about pricing. Telefónica's heavy investment may lead to higher subscription fees for Movistar Plus+, but it could also attract new customers who want the convenience of a single provider. The competition between Telefónica and DAZN will likely intensify, benefiting fans through better offers and services. The background to this story is set out in Free Football Weekend: Watch 40+ Matches on DAZN and Movistar Plus. A related thread runs through Movistar Plus: Watch LaLiga and Champions for €9.99 a Month. Earlier coverage in Movistar Plus+ Loses Board as Telefónica Tightens Control shows how the argument developed.

Industry Reaction and Future Outlook

The deal has been anticipated for months, as Telefónica sought to consolidate its position in the pay-TV market. Analysts view it as a defensive move against streaming giants and a reaffirmation of football's central role in Spanish television. A closer look at the same subject appears in DAZN Pricing 2026: Plans, Content, and Monthly vs Annual Cost. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Dazn Acquires Australia Cricket Rights in Landmark Streaming Deal. The same theme surfaces in DAZN Football Plan Drops to €9.99 for El Clásico and LaLiga, which takes a different angle.

With the agreement, Telefónica secures its status as the primary broadcaster of LaLiga for the foreseeable future. The company's willingness to pay a premium for DAZN's matches demonstrates the high stakes involved in securing premium sports content. As the media landscape evolves, such deals will continue to shape how fans consume football. Context on how this played out before sits in Movistar Plus Plan Libre: 9.99 Euros for LaLiga and Champions League. A companion piece, Arsenal £75m Bruno Guimarães Transfer Deal Agreed with Newcastle, approaches the same subject from another angle.

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