Blavatnik adds $500M to DAZN after streamer's $980M loss
What's the deal? Billionaire Leonard Blavatnik has committed another $500 million to DAZNDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, extending his financial backing of the sports streaming platform for a further 12 months. The late-stage funding was announced in October 2026, with Blavatnik as the sole investor.
Why it's big: Among all-time late VC rounds in UK sports, this ranks in the top 1% by size — one of the largest on record in a sample of 72 deals. Blavatnik has now poured a reported $7.4 billion into DAZN over the past decade.
Why now? The capital arrives after DAZN reported a $979.7 million net loss for 2025, even as revenue climbed 22% to $3.8 billion. Blavatnik's Access IndustriesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → is acting as a backstop rather than signalling a new outside round.
What's the endgame? DAZN, which also owns Australian pay-TV group FoxtelDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, is building a platform that folds sports broadcasts, betting, merchandise, and ticketing into one service. It has spent heavily on rights, including a reported $1 billion deal for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
What could go wrong? DAZN's cash needs remain persistent, and it competes against deep-pocketed streamers and broadcasters. Even a reported $1 billion commitment from Saudi PIF-backed SURJDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → in 2025 has not removed its reliance on Blavatnik.
The signal: The story here is scale and dependence, not a turn to profit. DAZN's growth continues to hinge on repeated injections from its controlling shareholder — a reminder of how costly it is to build a global sports streaming business.
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