Frustrated with the status quo, Simon Denyer and a group of senior executives from Perform came up with the concept for a global sports entertainment platform to deliver a direct-to-consumer streaming service for sports fans across the globe. Led by James Rushton, DAZN was born.  

DAZN launches in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Japan and the DAZN brand is established.

DAZN gains momentum by launching J League and securing the  Docomo deal in Japan. Further to this, in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, DAZN sublicenses the UEFA Champions League from Sky. DAZN also expands its reach after launching in Canada.

DAZN announces its US launch with a bang on the back of a record-breaking deal with Matchroom Boxing. John Skipper also joins as executive chairman of DAZN Group

In 2019, DAZN continues huge expansion and growth in Europe, launching in Spain with exclusive Moto GP and Premier League rights, as well as in Italy in with select Serie A TIM rights and a distribution partnership with Sky. This growth continues after DAZN struck a deal with Eurosport for Bundesliga rights in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

DAZN further invests in its global original production strategy with the launch of specialist content development arm, DAZN Studios, and also launches in Brazil with exclusive Copa Sudamericana rights and puts advertising on platform in Italy with VW.

Despite the Global Pandemic bringing all sports to a halt, DAZN goes global, going live in 200+ countries and territories with an English-language service. DAZN also extends its extensive and exclusive UEFA Champions League and Bundesliga rights in Germany (starting from 2021) and fans are able to stream sporting events on the Sony PS5 console with DAZN.

DAZN acquires a number of ground-breaking rights including becoming the exclusive broadcaster of Serie A TIM in Italy, securing exclusive LaLiga rights in Spain, bringing on WeLeague for eight years, striking a deal with DAZN and Matchroom sport and becoming the exclusive broadcaster of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Key hires across the business include Kevin Mayer, becoming DAZN’s chairman, and Shay Segev, becoming CEO of DAZN Group. DAZN furthers its technology through the launch of innovation hub DAZN X, launching Dynamic Ad insertion technology and signing a Global mobile carrier deal. Finally, DAZN is  awarded 2021 Apple TV App of the Year.

DAZN strikes a number of ground-breaking agreements including acquiring ELEVEN Sports and Team Whistle, expanding its position in parts of Asia and Europe, launching MF & DAZN: X Series with Misfits Boxing, partnering with the Professional Fighters League and partnering with Red Bull TV.

DAZN also further diversifies the platform after launching DAZN Bet in the UK, a merch store in DACH and launching NFTs in Japan. Anthony Joshua joins DAZN as a brand ambassador, which sees all his future fights broadcast on DAZN’s sport entertainment platform to customers worldwide.