Japan captain Wataru Endo is one of several national team players in the Premier League. (George Wood/Getty Images)

U-Next, the Japanese streaming service, has secured rights to English soccer’s Premier League and FA Cup knockout competition for the next seven seasons. 

The OTT platform will replace outgoing Premier League rightsholder SPOTV, the pan-regional sports channel of South Korean broadcaster Eclat Media Group, after it opted to terminate its agreement a year early.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Eclat held rights in Japan under a three-year deal for the 2022-25 cycle and was due to head into the final season of its contract.

As a result, U-Next’s exclusive seven-year deal to show the English top-flight will begin with the 2024-25 season and run through 2030-31.

U-Next will exclusively live-stream all 380 matches from the upcoming Premier League campaign, which starts on August 16, as well as FA Cup action.

See Also:

FA Cup rights were previously held in Japan by global OTT platform DAZN.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The Premier League features several Japanese players, including national team captain Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), and Yukinari Sugawara (Southampton).

Users must purchase the U-Next Soccer Pack to watch live matches, which will launch on August 9, for ¥2,600 ($17) per month. It will be available as part of a bundle or as a standalone option.  

As well as Premier League action, the subscription will feature live content from Spain’s LaLiga.

The streaming service will complement its live coverage with archive footage from both leagues and magazine shows.

U-Next has additionally announced it will expand its soccer content by providing it to commercial establishments such as hotels and bars.

Paul Molnar, Premier League chief media officer, has said: “U-Next is a leading entertainment content platform in the Japanese market, and we are excited that the exclusive Premier League distribution rights will be at the heart of U-Next’s live sports distribution.

“With a fresh and innovative approach, we are confident that U-Next will be a great home for the Premier League. We look forward to working together to promote the appeal of the league, the clubs, and the growing number of Japanese players.”