World Athletics and the EBU have extended their media rights deal to 2029 ©Getty Images

World Athletics and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have extended their media rights partnership to 2029.

The existing contract between World Athletics and the EBU, together with ESPN, began in 2018 and runs until 2023.

This latest renewal marks a 40-year partnership between the two organisations and will incorporate the 2025, 2027 and 2029 World Championships.

The renewed agreement, which covers both the flagship biennial World Athletics Championships and World Athletics Indoor Championships, incorporates the latest developments in digital broadcast technology and will offer new opportunities for fans to watch athletics and follow their favourite stars.

An EBU statement said: "Starting in 2024 and running until 2029, the new agreement covers European and African rights on all existing and non-existing platforms, via all distribution modes (albeit the vast majority of coverage will be free-to-air), as well as non-exclusive radio rights.

"Under the renewed partnership, 29 EBU Members have already been confirmed for World Athletics events over the six-year span of the contract.

"The new agreement offers exciting opportunities for digital content distribution, and a joint commitment to create a compelling documentary series about athletics, alongside live broadcasts on free-to-air TV of the World Athletics Championships and World Athletics Indoor Championships."

The new agreement covers the following World Athletics Series events: World Athletics Championships (2025, 2027, 2029); World Athletics Indoor Championships (2024, 2026, 2028); World Athletics Road Running Championships (2025, 2027, 2029); World Athletics Under-20 Championships (2024, 2026, 2028); World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships (2024, 2026, 2028); World Athletics Cross Country Championships (2024, 2026, 2028); World Athletics Relays (2025, 2027, 2029).

The agreement will see a greater emphasis on telling the stories of athletes before, during and after major competitions.

Efforts will continue to enhance digital and commercial growth.

World Athletics will also enjoy commercial airtime from more than 20 broadcasters for campaigns that form part of its Strategic Plan.

The agreement will see a greater emphasis on telling the stories of athletes before, during and after major competitions, including the likes of 400 metres hurdles Olympic champion Karston Warholm ©Getty Images
The agreement will see a greater emphasis on telling the stories of athletes before, during and after major competitions, including the likes of 400 metres hurdles Olympic champion Karston Warholm ©Getty Images

In welcoming the agreement, World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe said: "We have had a long and fruitful partnership with the EBU and I’m delighted that this has been extended in an enhanced agreement that we believe will be game-changing for our sport.

"This is good news for our athletes and our fans as it will create more opportunities for everyone who loves our sport to watch it regularly, and more easily, and for new fans to fall in love with its undeniable magic. 

"The EBU is ideally placed to help us to grow over the six years of this agreement."

Noel Curran, the EBU’s director general, said: "The EBU will be World Athletics' partner in implementing its Strategic Plan for the growth, inspiration and leadership of the sport.

"In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with a packed, top-class athletics calendar ahead, this is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we believe only public service media are in a position to help develop and exploit fully, across all possible platforms."