Global sports media rights hit record 65.8 billion
Global sports media rights reached a record 65.8 billion dollars in 2026 driven by major events. The US market dominates the sector while values are forecast to dip next year.
The global value of sports media rights rose 15% to $65.82 billion in 2026, driven by marquee events in the United States and international soccer. The annual SportBusiness Global Media Report published on Wednesday showed the market surpassing previous benchmarks, up from $62.4 billion in 2024.
The record outlay reflects a heavy calendar featuring the soccer World Cup across North America and the Winter Olympics.











