Kerala in talks for no-fee public screenings of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Published 22 June 2026 · sports

The Kerala government has said it is in talks with rights holders to ensure that non-commercial public screenings of the 2026 FIFA World Cup can

The Kerala government has said it is in talks with rights holders to ensure that non-commercial public screenings of the 2026 FIFA World Cup can be held without a licence fee. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister OJ Janeesh told the Assembly on Monday that the government was trying to make sure football fans were not stopped from organising community screenings. He said the issue had come up over concerns that local clubs, residents' associations and community organisations might have to pay a heavy licence fee to screen World Cup matches in public. The government, he said, was treating commercial screenings by malls and business establishments differently from screenings held by local groups that do not charge an entry fee.

Read Full Story Replying to a submission by MLA P A Mohammed Riyas, the minister said the broadcast and live-streaming rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in India were owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, while digital streaming rights were with its sister platform, ZEE5. He added that screening rights in Kerala had been acquired by Eagles FC Kerala. "The agreement between the rights holders does not involve the state government. However, the government wants to ensure that football fans are not prevented from organising public screenings," he said. Janeesh said that as soon as the matter came to the government's attention, the Sports Department Secretary was directed to hold discussions with the stakeholders concerned.

"The talks have been positive, and the response from the rights holders has been encouraging. A decision is expected soon. Football fans need not be disappointed," he added. Chief Minister VD Satheesan said the government was taking a positive approach to the issue and that steps would be taken at the earliest to facilitate public screenings, subject to the required permissions. Raising the issue earlier, Riyas alleged that local clubs, football fan groups and community organisations, especially in villages, were being asked to obtain licences and pay substantial fees to screen World Cup matches. He called it a "corporate strategy" that would burden ordinary football lovers and urged the government to secure an exemption for non-commercial screenings organised by local community groups.

Kerala, regarded as one of India's football hubs, sees large public screenings of FIFA World Cup matches across the state during every edition of the tournament. The government has now said it is working towards allowing such non-commercial screenings without a licence fee, while discussions with the rights holders continue. Ends