Sports streaming platform DAZN will continue broadcasting Belgian Pro League football until the end of the current season following emergency arbitration proceedings, the company confirmed on Wednesday, temporarily easing fears of a blackout for fans.
The decision follows a legal dispute between DAZN and Belgium’s Pro League after the broadcaster announced last month that it had no choice but to allow its contract to expire under Belgian law.
DAZN argued it was impossible to fulfil a key distribution condition of the agreement, prompting the platform to step away from the deal.
The move angered the Pro League, which accused DAZN of unilaterally ending their collaboration and jeopardising the league’s financial stability. In response, the league initiated emergency arbitration proceedings through CEPANI, Belgium’s leading arbitration body, to ensure continuity of broadcasts for the remainder of the season.
While DAZN declined to comment on the detailed content of the emergency arbitrator’s decision, citing confidentiality, it confirmed it would continue producing and broadcasting Pro League matches until the season concludes.
The company stressed that this measure does not alter its legal position regarding the contract’s validity.
“DAZN remains convinced the CEPANI arbitration panel that will be constituted in the coming weeks will rule that the original contract ended lawfully,” the company said in a statement. It added that it expects the panel to also address “important issues of compliance with competition law.”
The dispute centres on distribution requirements tied to the contract. DAZN reportedly failed to conclude distribution agreements with major Belgian telecom and cable operators, leaving matches available only through its standalone app.
According to the Pro League, this limited accessibility has proven financially unsustainable, both for the league and its clubs.
In December 2024, the Pro League awarded DAZN the domestic media rights for the 2025–2030 period, in a deal expected to generate at least €84.2 million per season. The agreement was seen as crucial for the financial health of Belgian professional football, particularly amid rising operational costs and increasing competition for broadcast revenues across Europe.
The emergency arbitration ensures short-term stability but leaves significant uncertainty about the future. A full arbitration panel is expected to be established in the coming weeks to rule on whether the contract ended lawfully and whether competition law considerations were breached.
For now, Belgian football fans can continue watching matches without interruption. However, the broader conflict highlights the growing challenges facing sports leagues and streaming platforms as they navigate complex distribution models, regulatory frameworks, and shifting viewer habits in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.