• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Fox Sports Is Winning Its Bet on Soccer Media-Rights Deals

  • Copa América and Euro 2024 have produced record viewership.
  • In 2026, Fox will broadcast the FIFA World Cup, too.
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Fox Sports has gone all in on international soccer tournaments in recent years, and the major financial investment is paying off big-time.

The semifinals of Copa América and Euro 2024 begin Tuesday with plenty of star power left in both tournaments that have already produced record viewership for Fox, which owns U.S. media rights to each event. 

The group-stage match between the U.S. and Uruguay was the most-watched English-language Copa América telecast ever in the U.S., attracting 3.77 million viewers. Argentina’s victory over Ecuador on July 4 drew an audience of 1.86 million, which is a record number for a Copa América quarterfinal that doesn’t involve the U.S. The Euros had the most-watched round of 16 ever, with games averaging 1.98 million viewers. 

Best Yet to Come?

In Copa América, the draw of Lionel Messi (above) remains alive as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will lead Argentina against Canada, which has made a surprise run through the knockout round. Across the pond, England is looking to return to the final of the Euros after its loss to Italy in the championship match three summers ago produced the most-watched U.S. broadcast of the Euros with 6.48 million viewers on ESPN.

This is the first year that Fox is broadcasting the Euros after taking over the rights from ESPN. Next year, the UEFA Women’s Euro will similarly move from ESPN to Fox. Copa América has been broadcast by Fox since 2016. The financial terms of those deals are not known, but the real kicker for Fox is the network’s rights to the FIFA men’s and women’s World Cups, which have been a point of controversy. 

Trophy Hunting

In 2011, Fox won FIFA rights—also previously held by ESPN—after agreeing to pay $425 million for a contract running from ’15 to ’22. Then, in ’15, FIFA extended Fox’s deal until the ’26 World Cup, which would have been an extremely hot commodity for American broadcasters after ultimately being awarded to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Several media outlets have reported that the move was to make-good for FIFA moving the ’22 World Cup in Qatar out of the traditional summer window and into the fall, when it competed with the NFL and college football, among other sports.

Despite the failure of the U.S. men’s national team in Copa América, a home FIFA World Cup in 2026 should be a win for Fox Sports. In addition to a shot at redemption for the Americans, the network will be broadcasting from familiar locales as the world’s biggest international soccer stars compete in front of 60,000 to 70,000 fans in many NFL stadiums. The energy around the World Cup will likely be higher than at Copa América, which early in the tournament saw many matches with half-capacity crowds.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates following the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025
exclusive

Diego Pavia Is Trying to Kill NCAA JUCO Eligibility Rules for Good

Vandy’s QB is amending his own lawsuit to encompass all NCAA athletes.
YouTube/ Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.

YouTube in Another Carriage Dispute, This Time With Disney

ESPN and ABC could be dropped from the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell after losing the game to the Pittsburgh Panthers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.

CFB’s Chaotic (and Pricey) Coaching Carousel Only Getting Started

Firings have already accounted for roughly $116 million.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Oct 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) keeps the ball away from Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the second half at Paycom Center

NBA’s NBC Return Draws 5.9M Viewers, Best Opener Since 2010

Thunder vs. Rockets peaked at 7.1 million viewers.
Brian Windhorst
October 23, 2025

Brian Windhorst Details Emergency Landing on Omaha–L.A. Flight

The pilots and flight attendants had a communication issue.
May 17, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) shakes hands with New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) after the top of the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium.
October 23, 2025

Mets, Yankees, and the Nielsen Debate That Won’t Go Away

Weeks after the end of the MLB regular season, viewership issues remain.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
October 22, 2025

YouTube Stars Help Bring Back Golf Channel’s ‘Big Break’

The show will return in 2026 after an 11-year hiatus.
Candace Parker
October 22, 2025

Candace Parker Wants NFL-Style Coverage From NBA Media

Amazon will stream its first NBA doubleheader Friday.
Netflix
October 21, 2025

Netflix Staying on the Sidelines As TNT Sports Parent Seeks Buyer

The streaming giant shows little interest in acquisition possibilities.
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an NBA basketball and backyard and NBA logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.
October 17, 2025

NBA Tries to Solve Fragmentation Issue It Helped Create

A new “Tap to Watch” feature will direct fans to live games.