European Aquatics Renews Broadcast Deal with EBU

European Aquatics and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have announced a renewed partnership that will see Europe’s premier aquatic events broadcast free-to-air from 2025 through 2028. The agreement, unveiled today, secures exclusive coverage for swimming, diving, artistic swimming, and—crucially for water polo fans—the European Water Polo Championships.

Under the terms of the deal, 22 EBU member broadcasters will air events across their national channels, with Eurovision Sport, the EBU’s digital platform, also offering comprehensive live and on-demand streaming. The move is seen as a strategic step to increase the accessibility and popularity of aquatic sports across the continent.

A Milestone for Water Polo Visibility

While swimming and diving often dominate media coverage, water polo’s inclusion in this renewed agreement is particularly significant. The European Water Polo Championships remain one of the sport’s marquee international events—showcasing elite national teams and serving as a critical benchmark for global competitions like the Olympics and World Championships.

The continued commitment to free-to-air access ensures that water polo will remain visible in traditional broadcasting spaces, while also embracing modern digital platforms like eurovisionsport.com. This dual approach is expected to draw in new fans while retaining long-time supporters of the sport.

EBU: A Powerful Partner for Aquatic Sport

The European Broadcasting Union is the world’s largest alliance of public service media, uniting 112 member organizations in 56 countries. Through its vast network, the EBU ensures broad and equitable access to top-tier sport—including major Olympic and continental events—across Europe.

EBU’s Eurovision Sport platform, which is gaining ground as a reliable free streaming service, provides a vital alternative to paywalled platforms. For aquatic sports—and water polo in particular—this guarantees not just broader visibility but potential new fan engagement, especially among younger and digitally-savvy audiences.

Shared Vision for Growth

Both European Aquatics and the EBU emphasized their shared commitment to promoting aquatic sports beyond traditional audiences.

“Our strategy has always been to reach the maximum number of people on free-to-air channels,” said Antonio Silva, President of European Aquatics. “So we are very happy to be able to renew this contract with the EBU and to work together to grow the sport. The digital landscape is rapidly evolving, and this agreement enables us to continue to have a presence on eurovisionsport.com, which is an added benefit for fans of the sport.”

Glen Killane, Executive Director of EBU Sport, echoed the sentiment:
“Through this renewed agreement, we will continue to offer comprehensive, free-to-air access to top-tier aquatic competitions for fans across Europe.”

“Working closely with European Aquatics and our Members, we remain committed to expanding the reach and impact of these sports across all platforms, including complementary coverage via our free streaming service, Eurovision Sport.”