DAZN, the global sports streaming service, has received a significant boost with a minority investment from SURJ Sports Investment. This Saudi-backed investment, a part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is expected to significantly expand DAZN's global reach and content library.
The partnership follows months of speculation. SURJ Sports Investment, formed in 2023, aims to expand Saudi Arabia's sports presence internationally. While financial details remain undisclosed, reports suggested a potential $1 billion investment from PIF. Danny Townsend, CEO at SURJ Sports Investment, expressed enthusiasm, stating: “DAZN has established itself as the global sports platform of choice, and this is a really exciting opportunity to build on DAZN’s significant successes in recent years by bringing more sports to fans and audiences around the world. SURJ supports the leadership of DAZN, and our partnership will accelerate the growth of DAZN and capitalize on the significant and growing demand for high-quality sports broadcasting. This investment will help SURJ achieve its mandate of driving fan engagement, encouraging sports participation and unlocking game-changing opportunities, and further showcasing the region as a destination for world-class sports.”
Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN, highlighted the strategic value of the partnership: “DAZN is the only truly global entertainment platform dedicated to sport, which makes us ideally positioned to expand access to sports content globally from Saudi Arabia’s growing sports sector. As part of the DAZN MENA joint venture with SURJ, DAZN is committed to maximizing the reach and accessibility of sports, while delivering the best entertainment experience to a global community of passionate fans. This is a milestone partnership for the group, which is bound to transform the sports entertainment landscape in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.”
DAZN, owned by Access Industries, boasts 300 million regular viewers and aims for one billion users. This investment marks a significant step in achieving that ambitious goal.