Major Change in How Australians Watch Football: Optus Loses Premier League Rights

• The next Premier League season starts on August 16
• A new broadcasting deal has been finalized for Australian viewers

The rights to broadcast all English Premier League matches in Australia have been acquired by Channel Nine and its streaming platform Stan, marking a significant shift for soccer enthusiasts Down Under. The deal was announced on Monday, with these broadcasters now becoming the exclusive sources for Premier League games in Australia.

Under this three-year agreement, Nine and Stan will also hold exclusive rights to FA Cup matches. This move effectively terminates Optus Sport’s live sports coverage, including the platform itself, which will shut down. In a transition plan, Stan will offer discounted prices for Optus Sport customers, allowing current subscribers to continue watching top-tier football without interruption.

The official transition of rights will take effect from August 1, just before the new season kicks off. Fans eager to watch stars like Mohamed Salah will now tune into Channel Nine and Stan’s streaming service.

As part of the deal, Stan paid Optus Sport an upfront fee of $20 million and contributed towards future Premier League rights negotiations. Nine CEO Matt Stanton highlighted the significance of the Premier League’s global popularity and emphasized that this move reinforces Nine’s position as Australia’s primary sports broadcaster—bringing prestigious competitions like the Premier League and FA Cup to Australian viewers.

The agreement also includes broadcasting rights for Japan’s J.League and the US National Women’s Soccer League. Nine assured fans they would facilitate a smooth transition by communicating with current Optus Sport subscribers.

The upcoming Premier League season will begin with Liverpool hosting Bournemouth at Anfield on August 16. Liverpool are the defending champions.

Aussies eager to watch stars like Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (pictured) will now need to tune into Channel Nine and Stan.

The official rights transfer from Optus Sport will be completed on August 1, just ahead of the new Premier League season (pictured, Erling Haaland).

Reigning champions Liverpool will kick off the 2025-26 season at home against Bournemouth on August 16.