Saudi sovereign fund SURJ Sports Investment acquires minority stake in DAZN

The subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, SURJ Sports, buys a minority stake in DAZN with the aim of consolidating the presence of the sports streaming service in the Middle East.

Although the economic conditions of the operation have not been revealed, everything seems to indicate that PIF would have acquired ten percent of the company by injecting some billion dollars into its capital. As part of the agreement, DAZN will launch a subsidiary in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a joint venture that will create broadcast opportunities for Saudi Arabia's growing sports portfolio.
SURJ Sports Investment CEO Danny Townsed said: “SURJ supports DAZN's leadership, and our partnership will accelerate its growth and capitalize on the significant and growing demand for high-quality sports broadcasting.”
For his part, the CEO of DAZN, Shay Segev, assures that this operation "marks a milestone for the group and is set to transform the sports entertainment landscape in Saudi Arabia and the entire region."

Currently, the main shareholder of DAZN, with almost 87% of its capital, is the American group Access Industries, an investment firm behind which the Ukrainian businessman is located. Only Blavatnik.

Acquiring a stake in DAZN will allow Saudi Arabia to expand its sporting ambitions. Saudi Pro League clubs have invested heavily in player talent, while the PIF has funded the LIV Golf Tour, acquired Premier League football club Newcastle United and become a sponsor of the ATP and WTA tennis circuits.

SURJ, for its part, was created in 2023 to accelerate the growth of Saudi Arabia's sports sector and has since invested $100 million in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

The transaction strengthens ties between Saudi Arabia and DAZN, which already broadcasts a number of the country's sports, including the Saudi Pro League, Saudi-funded boxing matches and the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition event.

DAZN has also purchased the global broadcast rights to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for $1 billion, the same value as the investment announced by SURJ. Saudi Arabia's close relationship with world football's governing body, which has designated the country as host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, increased speculation that a deal was imminent.