ESPN and LALIGA have announced a six-year broadcast rights extension to bring Spain's top football competition to viewers in Spanish-speaking South American countries. The agreement runs through the 2031/32 season, with matches airing on ESPN linear channels and streaming live on Disney+ Premium. The deal follows a recent broadcast agreement for France starting in the 2026/27 season and expands ESPN's global LALIGA portfolio, which includes the United States, the Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Under the terms of the agreement, ESPN holds exclusive rights across all media platforms in the covered territory. The network will broadcast 190 live LALIGA EA SPORTS matches each season, representing half of all first-division fixtures. The package features at least one match from every home-and-away rivalry, including ELCLÁSICO. The 2026/27 season begins on August 15, with live coverage starting from the opening match.
Broadcast package and executive statements
Bruno Zurlo, senior vice president and general manager of networks and sports for Latin America at The Walt Disney Company, said the agreement reinforces ESPN's commitment to bringing top football competitions to South American fans. He added that the renewal allows the company to continue showing iconic clubs, international players, and rivalries across ESPN linear channels and Disney+ Premium.
Javier Tebas, president of LALIGA, said South America has a special connection with the league and called The Walt Disney Company a key partner for international growth. He noted that the extension builds on existing relationships in the United States and in markets such as Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and France. Tebas added that the two organisations will work together over the next six years to reach millions of fans across South America.
South American players and league rivalries
The agreement comes amid rising interest in Spanish football following the recent World Cup, where LALIGA EA SPORTS had 24 players from Spain and Argentina in the final. The connection to South America includes 20 players from Argentina and 12 from Uruguay currently competing in LALIGA, as well as seven members of Argentina's World Cup squad. Viewers in the region will be able to follow players such as Julián Álvarez, Fede Valverde, Ronald Araújo, and Giuliano Simeone throughout the season.
LALIGA EA SPORTS features global clubs including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Atlético de Madrid, alongside European contenders Sevilla, Villarreal CF, Real Betis, and Athletic Club. ESPN will cover major rivalries such as ELCLÁSICO, the Madrid derby, and EL GRAN DERBI in Seville.
ESPN football portfolio in South America
The deal strengthens ESPN's broader football offerings in South America, adding to rights for the Premier League, Serie A, Ligue 1, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Nations League, CONMEBOL Libertadores, and CONMEBOL Sudamericana. The network also provides news, analysis, and studio programming across its linear, streaming, digital, and social platforms.
