The Spanish competition authority, CNMC, has called on the Liga Profesional de Fútbol Femenino (LPFF) to adjust its plans for selling audiovisual rights to comply with legal requirements. The case concerns four open-access matches from the LPFF’s Primera División, set to be broadcast in Spain and Andorra on a non-exclusive basis from the 2025/26 season. These games are being offered following an agreement with DAZN, which previously held exclusive rights.
In its report, the CNMC noted that some conditions in the LPFF’s proposed sale do not fully align with Royal Decree-Law 5/2015, which regulates the joint marketing of audiovisual rights. The league must stick strictly to the powers granted by the law, avoid presenting rights it does not legally control, and ensure any obligations imposed on buyers are reasonable and necessary. The process of awarding rights should be transparent and competitive, and the packaging of matches should not favor a single buyer, even if the current sale builds on a previous multi-package arrangement.
These observations are issued under Article 4 of the law, which requires sellers of audiovisual rights to request a CNMC report before finalizing marketing conditions. The authority’s guidance highlights its commitment to fair competition and transparency in the women’s football broadcasting market, ensuring all participants follow the same rules and helping the sector grow sustainably.