WarnerMedia Secures U.S. Soccer Rights For $200M

WarnerMedia has secured an eight-year domestic English-language rights deal with the United States Soccer Federation for roughly $200 million.

The service will air more than 20 U.S. men’s and women’s national team games each year on WarnerMedia’s streaming platform, HBO Max, and at least half of those on its linear channels, TNT and TBS.

While the deal doesn’t include FIFA World Cup matches, Concacaf tournaments, or the U.S. national team road qualification matches, it still covers a number of important games.

• World Cup qualifiers
• National team friendlies
• The SheBelieves Cup
• The U.S. Open Cup
• Other high-profile national team games

The deal includes highlight and digital rights for Bleacher Report, as well as other content opportunities. ESPN and Fox, who previously owned the rights, reportedly decided not to place bids to retain the rights.

HBO Matches

The broadcasting deal comes at a crucial period for the U.S., as the country prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. U.S. Soccer is also reportedly considering bidding to host the 2027 or 2031 Women’s World Cup, and recently reached a landmark equal pay settlement with the USWNT.

The agreement also marks the streaming service’s start in live sports broadcasting, with additional plans to air National Hockey League games in the future.

Turner Sports president Lenny Daniels says it’s “further demonstrating our commitment to the distribution of live sports on HBO Max.”