EBU Extends Partnership with EOC to Broadcast European Games Through 2031

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has secured a long-term agreement with the European Olympic Committees (EOC) to broadcast the European Games through 2031, ensuring free-to-air coverage of the quadrennial multi-sport event across Europe, according to a statement released today. The deal, announced ahead of the 2027 Istanbul edition, marks a significant expansion of the partnership, which first began in 2023.

What Does the New Agreement Entail?

The renewed contract, effective through 2031, mandates that EBU members and partner broadcasters provide “extensive free-to-air coverage” of the European Games, a multi-sport event featuring over 100 Olympic qualification opportunities. Eurovision Sport, the EBU’s streaming platform, will also offer complementary coverage globally. The agreement spans two Olympic cycles, aligning with the road to the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

“This partnership ensures that no moment of Istanbul 2027 goes unseen,” said EOC CEO Jan Lehmann. “The European Games bring together Europe’s finest athletes at a critical moment on the road to LA28, and it is essential that their performances are showcased on free-to-air television for fans everywhere to follow and enjoy.”

How Will Coverage Be Delivered?

EBU members will deliver free-to-air and digital coverage across Europe, with Eurovision Sport providing additional access to international audiences. The 2027 edition, scheduled for June 16–27 in Istanbul, will feature 26 sports and over 100 direct Olympic qualification spots. This follows the EBU’s first broadcast of the European Games during the 2023 edition in Kraków.

Andreas Aristodemou, EBU’s Director of Olympics, emphasized the event’s role in connecting audiences with Olympic sports: “The European Games have become one of the most important milestones on the road to the Olympic Games, bringing together Europe’s best sporting talent at a defining moment in their Olympic journey.”

Why Does This Partnership Matter?

The extension solidifies the EBU’s commitment to promoting European sports and athlete development. By aligning with the EOC, the partnership ensures that the European Games remain a key platform for emerging Olympians. The 2027 Istanbul edition will be the fourth in the event’s history, following inaugural editions in Baku (2015) and Minsk (2019).

“This agreement allows us to continue telling those stories across two Olympic cycles,” Aristodemou added. “From the road to LA28 through to Brisbane 2032, we will provide unparalleled visibility for athletes, sports, and federations.”

What’s Next for the European Games?

The EBU also recently extended its rights deal with the European Athletics governing body, ensuring free-to-air coverage of European Athletics events until 2031. This underscores the EBU’s broader strategy to consolidate its role as a central hub for European sports broadcasting.

The 2027 European Games will serve as a critical preparatory event for athletes vying for Olympic spots, with Istanbul set to host over 6,000 competitors from 50 nations. The EOC has yet to release detailed plans for the event’s logistics, but Lehmann highlighted the importance of “reaching fans through both free-to-air television and digital streaming.”