Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has renewed its exclusive media rights deal with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for another three seasons until 2026-2027.

As part of the agreement, the broadcaster will be airing over 1,600 football matches, spanning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, UEFA Super Cup, and UEFA Youth League, across its channels for three seasons, Mint reported.

Sony and UEFA did not disclose the financial details of the agreement. However, they said that the idea is to bolster the popularity of football, the third most watched sport in India, after cricket and kabaddi.

Sony Sports Network now holds rights to most of the popular football events, excluding the English Premier League (EPL) and FIFA tournaments. Media rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are yet to be sold.

Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer, distribution and international business, and head, of sports business, SPNI, said the network has a longstanding commitment to showcasing the finest football content.

“Since 2020, UEFA Champions League viewership in India has surged by over 51%, attributed largely to the introduction of regional language commentary. With the forthcoming transition to a new format, featuring over 125 additional matches and up to 38 early kickoff matches per season tailored for Indian audiences, we are confident that this growth will gain momentum further. As the ‘Home of Football’ in India, we eagerly anticipate showcasing over 1,600 highly competitive football matches across these leagues to our viewers.”