Bundesliga: Versant replaces ESPN as the broadcaster in the USA over the 2026-2031 cycle ($20m per year)

Versant has acquired, for its USA Sports division, the exclusive English-language broadcasting rights to the Bundesliga in the United States for the 2026-2031 period (five seasons), the media company announced on July 14, 2026.

Under the agreement, Versant will provide live coverage of "more than 300 matches" per season from Germany's top-flight league across USA Sports platforms, including at least 30 matches on the pay-TV channel USA Network, as well as live coverage on its streaming platform Fandango. Matches not broadcast on USA Network will be streamed for free on Fandango.

The total value of the deal is estimated at $100m (€87.6m), or $20m (€17.5m) annually, according to Sports Business Journal. The agreement was negotiated by Relevent Sports Group, which became the DFL's partner for marketing the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga media rights across the Americas in September 2024. The partnership took effect from the 2026-27 season.

Broadcasting rights to the German league were previously held by ESPN (The Walt Disney Company) in the US for the 2020-2026 cycle.

The pay and free-TV…