World Cup 2026: StarTimes To Broadcast All Matches, Launches N10m Subscriber Reward

StarTimes Nigeria has announced a N10 million reward for its subscribers ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament.

This is even as the company has secured rights to broadcast all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

At a media briefing in Lagos, Senior Director Onyebuchi Uchefune said the pay-TV operator will carry the expanded competition on dedicated sports channels, with subscribers on its basic bouquet able to watch every game for a monthly fee of N4,000.

He described the rights acquisition as highly competitive, adding that the company wanted to ensure Nigerian fans could follow the tournament from home.

“The World Cup is for the big boys. It was a very big battle. Even getting up and negotiating the costs, the implications, and the process that we go through. It was a very big battle. But at the end, the management saw the importance of bringing the rights to our platform so that our customers and those who will still join us will enjoy the 104 matches from the comfort of their homes,” Uchefune added.

Marketing Director of StarTimes Nigeria, Oke Umurhohwo, said the subscriber campaign tied to the World Cup includes a N10 million cash prize for one customer. He explained that new decoder purchases, subscription renewals, and solar TV package buyers would qualify for the draw. Matches will also be available on the StarTimes ON streaming app, with pre-match, live, and post-match analysis programs planned.

Executives said the company will host fan engagement activities, including watch parties in Lagos and other cities, and noted that despite Nigeria’s absence from the qualifiers, the expanded 48-team format will feature 10 African nations. The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.