By Marta Elena Casanova
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The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup ended with a triumph for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, who defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 at the MetLife Stadium in New York. It was the Blues’ first-ever title in the revamped FIFA competition, which has undergone major changes in format and financial scale. But off the pitch, the real star of the event was DAZN, the sports streaming platform that broadcast the entire tournament exclusively worldwide.
Thanks to a three-year deal with FIFA, covering media rights from 2025 to 2027, DAZN invested over $1 billion to acquire and distribute the new 32-team format of the Club World Cup across more than 180 countries. The goal? Revolutionize football viewing, embracing a digital, accessible, and multi-platform model.
A $1 Billion+ Investment in the Club World Cup
The agreement between DAZN and FIFA is among the most significant ever in football broadcasting. According to international sources, the deal exceeds $1 billion, granting DAZN exclusive rights in key markets such as:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Latin America
Scheduled in the summer window, the tournament fills the gap left by UEFA competitions and domestic leagues, offering fans continuous content and brands a unique space for sponsorship, subscriptions, and fanbase growth.
Distribution Strategy: Sub-licensing and Local Broadcaster Deals
To boost visibility for the 2025 Club World Cup and maximize its investment, DAZN implemented a hybrid distribution model. In addition to streaming on its own platform, it licensed select rights to local broadcasters, including:
- Channel 5 (UK)
- TNT Sports (USA)
- IMG/Sport24 for travel environments (airlines, cruise ships)
- Mediaset (Italy)
Chelsea Wins, FIFA Raises the Stakes with Record Prize Money
On the pitch, Chelsea dominated. The English club lifted the trophy and earned a €104.9 million prize, a record for a FIFA club competition. Paris Saint-Germain, as runners-up, collected approximately €97.7 million. Overall, FIFA distributed around $2.5 billion in prize money, significantly boosted by revenue from the DAZN deal and other global sponsors.
DAZN and the Future of Sports Streaming: Innovation and Uncertainty
The 2025 Club World Cup serves as a global testing ground for DAZN. With free content available in select regions, flexible subscription models, and multi-device access, the platform aims to:
- Attract new users
- Retain younger generations
- Strengthen its presence in emerging markets
Still, there are concerns about economic sustainability. DAZN ended 2023 with losses exceeding $1.4 billion, and the return on investment for the Club World Cup won’t be immediate. Additionally, frequent consumer complaints about high costs and subscription cancellations remain a challenge.
DAZN is betting on a digital, direct, and international model, anchored in a global summer event designed to attract viewers, sponsors, and media attention. Now, it must prove over the next three years that a new way to experience football is possible: accessible, scalable, and profitable.
By Marta Elena Casanova
