SURJ Sports Investment, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has agreed to acquire a minority stake in DAZN, the leading sports streaming platform. This investment is expected to result in an increase in Saudi-backed sports events on DAZN, enhancing the platform’s global presence.
The move comes after months of speculation and follows reports that PIF is close to taking a $1 billion stake in DAZN. SURJ, established in 2023 to promote international growth and bolster Saudi Arabia’s sporting ecosystem, aims to capitalize on DAZN’s recent success and growing demand for high-quality sports broadcasting.
Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, expressed excitement about DAZN’s leadership and the opportunity to bring more sports content to fans worldwide. The partnership is seen as a step toward accelerating DAZN’s growth, supporting the growing popularity of Saudi-backed sports, and driving fan engagement globally.
Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN, highlighted the company’s commitment to expanding access to sports content globally, especially from Saudi Arabia’s rapidly developing sports sector. The partnership, particularly the DAZN MENA joint venture with SURJ, is poised to revolutionize sports entertainment in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East region.
With over 300 million regular viewers and a target of reaching one billion users, DAZN, owned by Access Industries, continues to solidify its position as a global sports entertainment leader.
