DAZN Streaming Platform Lands Bellator Rights

Sports combat franchise Bellator has entered into a multiyear distribution agreement with the live sports streaming service DAZN.

Billed as a “nine-figure deal,” the agreement sees seven exclusive stacked fight cards per year being made available on DAZN, with another 15 being simulcast on the streaming service and Paramount Network (which, like Bellator, is owned by Viacom). DAZN is already operational in Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Japan and launches in the U.S. and Italy this year.

“The exciting new partnership with DAZN is a game-changer for Bellator,” said Scott Coker, the president of Bellator. “The investment will enable us to continue expanding our roster with free agents that make sense, so we can put on PPV-worthy fight cards that fans want to see. Plus, on DAZN’s worldwide platform, our fights will be seen live for the first time to new audiences around the globe.”

“It’s simple; fans want to see great fighters in competitive fights so we’ve handed the keys to Scott Coker and his venerable team to go out and recruit even more top-level talent to further stack Bellator fight cards and build on their success,” said DAZN CEO James Rushton. “With the combination of this investment and our recent announcement to bring more than 30 nights of boxing to the platform annually, DAZN will be a must-have for fight fans in the U.S.”