Mumbai, 1st July 2026: Leading Content & Technology Powerhouse, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z’), has further strengthened its sports portfolio by securing the exclusive broadcast and digital rights for the German Football League – Bundesliga in India for 5 years. The partnership marks yet another significant milestone in the Company’s ambition to build a robust football ecosystem in the Country, by bringing one of the world’s most competitive and widely followed football leagues to millions of fans in India.

Beginning with the 2026-27 season, Bundesliga matches will be available exclusively on the Company’s digital platform – Zee 5 and Unite8 Sports television channels. Viewers across India will enjoy comprehensive coverage of live matches, highlights, and exclusive shoulder programming.

The partnership further reinforces the Company’s growing presence in global sports, following its strategic partnership inked with FIFA. The acquisition of Bundesliga rights significantly enhances the value proposition for Zee 5 subscribers, providing them access to one of Europe’s premier football leagues alongside a growing portfolio of premium global sporting content. With an

extensive reach and strong connect with audiences across the Country, ‘Z’ is uniquely positioned to accelerate the growth and popularity of Bundesliga in India. Commenting on the partnership,

Bavesh Janavlekar, Chief Business Officer – Unite8 Sports, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said: “Bundesliga is one of the most exciting football leagues in the world, renowned for its passionate fan culture, world-class clubs and commitment to developing young talent. Through this partnership, viewers will have the opportunity to watch some of the biggest stars in world football, including Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich and many other top international talents who light up Bundesliga week after week, across the year. At ‘Z’, we remain committed to contributing towards the growth of football in India. Through this partnership, we aim to create a meaningful and lasting impact by supporting grassroots development, strengthening pathways for young talent and enabling fans to actively participate in the growth journey of football in India. Together with Bundesliga, we will also launch the ‘Z’ x Bundesliga Football Week, bringing grassroots football clinics and development programmes to young aspiring footballers across India, while providing access to world-class coaching expertise and international best practices.”

Speaking on the partnership, Peer Naubert, Chief Commercial Officer of Bundesliga Media, said “We have been investing in India for many years because we believe long-term relevance is built through sustained local engagement, not broadcast reach alone. India is not simply a market for the Bundesliga; it is a country where we have consistently invested in football, in partnerships and in people. This partnership with ‘Z’ reflects that philosophy. Their outstanding reach, local expertise and multi-platform capabilities will bring the Bundesliga closer to millions of fans across India. Just as importantly, our shared commitment to grassroots football means we are investing not only in audiences, but in the long-term development of the game itself. For us, media partnerships mark the beginning of a long-term relationship, not the end of a transaction. Together with ‘Z’, we want to inspire the next generation of Indian footballers, strengthen local football structures and deepen the connection between India and the Bundesliga for generations of football fans.”

As part of its long-term commitment to football development in the Country, ‘Z’ had earlier announced to contribute 15% of Zee 5’s football-related subscription revenues towards identifying, training and uplifting young talent across the Country. Through this initiative, every Zee 5 football subscriber will have the opportunity to contribute towards building the future of football in India.

Bundesliga has maintained a strong presence in India over the years through youth development programmes, club activations and fan engagement initiatives. The league’s fan base in India has grown by over 50% during the last four seasons, underscoring the growing popularity of football amongst Indian audiences. Bundesliga also continues to work closely with stakeholders across the Country, to strengthen football structures, enhance technical expertise and support the development of the sport at various levels.

‘Z’ remains committed to building a diversified sports portfolio that offers premium global sporting content along with emerging sports properties to drive meaningful consumer engagement. Through strategic partnerships and investments, ‘Z’ continues to expand its footprint across sports while creating new opportunities for fans to connect with their favourite teams, players and competitions. The Bundesliga partnership marks another important step in the Company’s vision of fostering a vibrant sporting culture and accelerating the growth of football in India.

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‘Poora India Watchega’ lives in the space between generations of fandom the fan who has carried this sport for decades, the one who tunes in every four years, and the one who is about to fall in love with it this June. It’s a nation discovering football together, each at its own pace but moving as one.

Developed by Talented and mktgstack, the campaign invites all of India into football’s biggest moment. Anchored by a high-energy brand film, directed by Atul Kattukara with First December Films, the campaign captures how football comes alive across homes, streets, cafés, workplaces, and communities during the FIFA World Cup. Through moments of celebration, rivalry, nervous excitement, and shared joy, the film reflects how the sport has the power to bring people together, whether they are die-hard football fans or simply joining in for the excitement of the occasion.

‘Poora India Watchega’ campaign will roll out through strategic brand partnerships, creator-led integrations, and a large-scale digital outreach strategy spanning 200+ websites, alongside visibility across Connected TVs, food and delivery apps, sports apps, and digital sports communities PAN India, making the tournament impossible to miss no matter where audiences are engaging from.
Brand film: Link

Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. stated, “At ZEE5 and Unite8 Sports, we want the audience to watch FIFA World Cup together. FIFA World Cup is an experience that goes beyond the core football fandom, and ‘Poora India Watchega’ brings that spirit alive. Every four years, football goes beyond its core fans and becomes something everyone wants to be part of. It’s about watching with friends, picking favourite teams overnight, celebrating every goal, and getting swept up in the emotion. Through this campaign, we’ve aimed to make the World Cup feel welcoming, exciting, whether you’ve followed football for years or are tuning in for the first time.”

Adding to this, Bavesh Janavlekar, Chief Business Officer, Unite8 Sports, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said, “The FIFA World Cup 2026 marks a defining moment for global football with legends nearing the end of an era, new stars rising, and an expanded 48-team format making it more inclusive than ever. It’s this scale and cultural impact that makes the tournament bigger than just the sport. ‘Poora India Watchega’ is built for every kind of fan lifelong followers, once-in-four-years viewers, and those discovering the game for the first time bringing an immersive, an experience that connects with audiences across India and helps grow a lasting football culture.”

Karishma Changroth & Sanket Audhi, Founding Members at Talented, “It takes a whole squad playing at the top of their form to bring a campaign of this scale to life. ‘Poora India Watchega’ is powered by high trust, agility and shared ambition across ZEE5, Unite8 Sports, Talented, mktgstack and our production partners at First December Films to create a World Cup experience that feels as big and energetic as the fans it is made for.”
Talented has led the creative and strategic development of ‘Poora India Watchega’. On social and digital, mktgstack, part of the Talented Grid, is building football culture online that makes the tournament feel unmissable, even before kickoff.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available in Hindi, English, Bangla and Malayalam across ZEE5 and the newly launched Unite8 Sports channels, bringing fans closer to every goal, celebration and unforgettable moment in the language they love.tball fandom in the country.

The post ZEE5 and Unite8 Sports Bring Football’s Biggest Stage to India: 48 Nations, One Emotion, ‘Poora India Watchega’ appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.