Kayo Sports has lifted its subscription price as escalating demands from global sports bodies for additional rights revenue begin to bite but unlike their competitors the DAZN owned Company is set to launch a massive new technology platform shortly that will deliver for Australian sports fans a massive new capability.

The good news for subscribers is that the 15% ($5.99) increase is not as severe as the 19% price hike imposed by Stan, which was rolled out ahead of the Australian Open and the Winter Games in Italy, following Stan’s reported $100 million deal to secure the English Premier League rights from Optus.

Unlike Stan — which relies heavily on marquee events such as the English Premier League that are often broadcast live in the middle of the night in Australia — Kayo subscribers continue to benefit from live AFL and NRL matches, along with rapidly growing Formula One coverage, which is breaking attendance and broadcast records globally.

Soon, these sports will be delivered via one of the world’s most advanced sports streaming technology platforms.

DAZN’s Tech Overhaul Heads to Australia

Kayo is now part of the European-owned DAZN streaming network, whose Chief Executive is expected to visit Australia shortly to roll out a major new technology platform described as “a leap ahead in live sports coverage”.

The platform promises to deliver vast amounts of real-time data and personalised information on individual teams and players.

DAZN the new owners of Foxtel plans to launch the new platform in early March in Australia. It has been developed by DAZN’s 3,000-strong global technology team, which includes engineers from Foxtel and Kayo.

The platform is designed to revolutionise sports streaming through artificial intelligence, interactive features, and enhanced advertising formats for sponsors — delivered in a way that is intended to remain unobtrusive for viewers.

This overhaul will first be implemented across Kayo Sports following DAZN’s acquisition of Foxtel, before later powering DAZN’s planned “Global Home of Football” platform through a partnership with FIFA.

“These changes reflect the rising cost of sports rights in Australia and internationally, as well as our continued investment in production, commentary and cutting-edge technology,” a spokesman said.

Foxtel Sale and Global Backing

Foxtel, which owns both Kayo and BINGE, was sold to DAZN in 2024 for $3.4 billion, with DAZN now investing heavily across all platforms.

DAZN’s largest shareholder is Leonard Blavatnik of Access Industries, who continues to inject billions into the business. Recent reports suggest Blavatnik’s total investment in DAZN

By comparison, Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited — owner of Stan, the Nine television network, major metropolitan radio stations, and publishing assets including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review — has a market capitalisation of approximately A$1.7–A$1.8 billion as of late January 2026.

Saudi Backing and New Capital Raise

DAZN is also backed by Saudi Arabia’s SURJ Sports Investment, which has invested an estimated A$1.4 billion for a minority stake, supporting DAZN’s expansion into new international markets.

The company is reportedly seeking to raise an additional A$1.3 billion in fresh funding to accelerate global growth and further enhance its technology and platform capabilities — including those about to be rolled out in Australia.

Cloud-Native Technology and Interactive Viewing

To deliver its new platform for Kayo, DAZN has partnered with MediaKind’s cloud-native MK.IO platform, running on Microsoft Azure, enabling the streaming of major global events such as the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

The technology supports API-first development, real-time scaling and ultra-low-latency global delivery, capabilities considered essential for handling millions of concurrent viewers during live sporting events.

DAZN has also invested in DAZN X following its acquisition of video engagement company Texel. DAZN X focuses on interactive fan experiences, including features that could allow viewers to chat, share, shop and play while watching, effectively adding social and community layers to live broadcasts.

Building a Global Sports Ecosystem

DAZN’s technology stack allows content to be delivered seamlessly across smart TVs, gaming consoles such as PlayStation, streaming devices including Fire Stick, and mobile phones and tablets, ensuring global scalability across multiple platforms.

According to Foxtel management, DAZN’s broader ambition is to create a “global sports ecosystem” — one that goes beyond live streaming to integrate commerce, ticketing, merchandise and fan engagement tools within a single platform.

The strategy pairs DAZN’s extensive sports rights portfolio — spanning AFL, NFL and major international competitions — with advanced technology capable of localising, personalising and scaling content delivery, positioning the company to compete with major technology players entering sports broadcasting.

DAZN is also exploring interactive features, betting integrations in select regions, and enhanced fan engagement tools, underscoring its view that technology will be central to future monetisation well beyond traditional subscription models.