DAZN secures UK rights to Australia’s two-Test series against Bangladesh

DAZN has acquired the UK broadcast rights to Australia’s two-Test series against Bangladesh in Australia this month, the streaming group’s first deal to televise international cricket. Cricket Australia sold the fixtures as a one-off while continuing negotiations over its remaining UK properties.

The matches, scheduled for Darwin and Mackay in Australia’s Top End, will be DAZN’s initial foray into international cricket despite the platform’s primary focus on football and combat sports. Cricket Australia had been seeking a long-term UK broadcast arrangement but opted to package the Bangladesh Tests separately. DAZN previously shared UK coverage of the 2023 Indian Premier League with Sky Sports, and last year acquired Australian satellite channel Foxtel, which holds Cricket Australia’s domestic rights until 2031.

DAZN’s UK transmission of the Bangladesh series is expected to rely on coverage provided by the host broadcaster, Fox Sports. Other broadcasters have expressed interest in upcoming Australia rights, and DAZN’s willingness to take the Bangladesh Tests is likely to strengthen its negotiating position for additional packages. Rights for England’s forthcoming visits are among the properties under discussion.

England’s white-ball team will tour Australia this autumn for eight ODI and T20 matches, and a one-off 150th anniversary Test is scheduled to take place in Melbourne next March. Historically, Sky Sports has scaled back coverage of England’s winter tours even though it retains rights to the Big Bash League, and the past three men’s Ashes tours were televised by TNT Sports and its predecessor, BT Sport.

DAZN’s recent moves in the Australian market, combined with its UK deal for the Bangladesh Tests, could position it to bid for further high-profile tours; the broadcaster is now in a position to consider rights such as the 2029-30 Ashes tour. The company’s ownership of Foxtel and this one-off international purchase mark a change from its earlier, more limited cricket involvement.

Australia has named an experienced squad for the Bangladesh series, with captain Pat Cummins returning for the first time since last December’s third Ashes Test in Adelaide. Australia begin a run that will feature 21 Tests in less than 12 months if they reach next June’s World Test Championship final, a sequence that includes tours to South Africa and India and a home series against New Zealand.

The Bangladesh series begins next Thursday; after that Australia will tour South Africa for three Tests in October, host New Zealand for four Tests over Christmas, travel to India for five Tests next February and then play England in the one-off 150th anniversary Test. Cricket Australia was approached for comment.