Competition Authority Approves TV Rights Centralization Model in Portugal

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and Liga Portugal have secured regulatory approval for a centralized model of broadcasting rights, a move that could reshape how top-tier clubs—including Sport Lisboa e Benfica—negotiate media deals worth hundreds of millions of euros. The Autoridade da Concorrência (AdC), Portugal’s competition authority, cleared the proposal on June 20, 2026, after a review that raised concerns over potential anti-competitive effects, according to Correio da Manhã and Jornal Económico.

The decision follows months of scrutiny over the Liga’s plan to bundle domestic TV rights, which could generate over €1 billion annually by 2030, per estimates cited by A Bola. Under the new model, the FPF and Liga will act as a single entity to sell broadcasting packages, consolidating negotiations that previously took place individually by clubs. Benfica, Portugal’s most valuable football brand, stands to gain financially from the centralization but faces operational challenges as the authority’s approval includes conditions to prevent market dominance.

Why does this matter? The AdC’s approval marks a critical step toward implementing a system similar to those in Spain’s LaLiga and Italy’s Serie A, where centralized rights have increased revenue for leagues and clubs alike. However, the Portuguese model differs in its regulatory oversight: the AdC imposed stricter safeguards, including mandatory transparency in revenue distribution and limits on how clubs can influence pricing, Diário de Notícias reported. These conditions aim to address earlier objections from smaller clubs and broadcasters, who feared Benfica’s market power could distort competition.

Benfica’s presidency, led by Rui Manuel César Costa, has been vocal in supporting the centralization, arguing it will stabilize income streams amid rising costs in European football. “This is a historic moment for Portuguese football,” Costa told A Bola in a statement. “Centralization ensures fairness and long-term sustainability, especially as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup and beyond.” The club’s commercial director, however, declined to comment on specific financial terms, citing ongoing internal reviews.

How does this compare to other leagues? Unlike Spain or Italy, where leagues operate with near-total autonomy, Portugal’s model includes direct AdC involvement in revenue-sharing formulas. For instance, LaLiga’s centralization in 2021 generated €4.5 billion over three years, with clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona receiving disproportionate shares. In Portugal, the AdC’s conditions may reduce such disparities by capping individual club revenue from domestic rights at 40% of the total pool, per Jornal Económico’s analysis of leaked documents.

The next phase involves finalizing contracts with broadcasters, with negotiations expected to begin by September 2026. Major players like Sport TV and NOS, which currently hold rights, are likely to push for lower fees given the centralized structure. Meanwhile, Benfica’s rivals—such as FC Porto and Sporting CP—have signaled cautious optimism, emphasizing the need for equitable distribution to avoid exacerbating financial gaps within the league.

What happens next? The FPF and Liga must now publish detailed revenue-sharing terms by August 15, 2026, as mandated by the AdC. Failure to comply could trigger a re-evaluation of the approval. Clubs will also face pressure to align their individual sponsorship deals with the new model, particularly as UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations tighten. For Benfica, the centralization could unlock €300–400 million annually in additional revenue, but only if the AdC’s conditions on transparency and competition are strictly enforced.

Analysts at Correio da Manhã note that the approval does not guarantee immediate implementation, as political hurdles—including potential challenges from the Presidência da República—remain. However, with the 2026–27 season looming, the timeline for finalizing deals is tight. The Liga’s president, Fernando Gomes, has stated that “the process is irreversible,” but internal leaks suggest some broadcasters are already lobbying for delays to renegotiate terms.