The UK Government’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially concluded its investigation into Sportradar’s anticipated acquisition of IMG Arena, granting approval for the merger to proceed to the next stage. The inquiry, which began in July 2025, comprised a comprehensive evidence-gathering phase that invited public input on the potential implications of the deal within the UK sports betting market. Stakeholders were asked to provide views on competitive dominance, anti-competitive behavior, market impact, and any regulatory concerns.
This clearance from the CMA represents a vital regulatory milestone, allowing Sportradar to move forward confidently with its plans. Sportradar’s acquisition of IMG Arena aims to strengthen its position as a leading global sports technology provider by incorporating IMG Arena’s extensive portfolio of sports betting rights. The deal is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to the remaining customary closing conditions.
Regulatory Review and Market Impact
The CMA’s investigation involved a thorough examination of the proposed acquisition’s effects on competition within the UK market. Interested parties, including competitors, operators, and consumer groups, submitted evidence and commentary during the consultation period. After evaluating this input alongside comprehensive market data, the authority determined that the acquisition did not pose substantial competition risks necessitating additional review.
The regulatory approval is significant because it permits the merger to proceed without restrictions, providing Sportradar access to IMG Arena’s portfolio that covers approximately 39,000 official data events and 30,000 streaming events globally. IMG Arena’s rights span a broad range of high-profile sports properties, including three of tennis’s four Grand Slams, Major League Soccer, EuroLeague basketball, and many others.
This portfolio will bolster Sportradar’s coverage of popular betting sports such as tennis, soccer, and basketball by enhancing product offerings distributed through its global network. Sportradar expects the integration of these assets to accelerate revenue growth, improve adjusted EBITDA margins, and strengthen cash flow generation in the coming years.
Financial Considerations and Future Outlook
In a unique transaction structure, IMG Arena will provide Sportradar with a total financial consideration of $125 million alongside an additional $100 million in cash prepayments distributed to sports rights holders. Notably, Sportradar will not pay Endeavour Group, the current IMG Arena owner, directly in this deal. This arrangement is designed to preserve Sportradar’s strong balance sheet and liquidity position, ensuring flexibility for ongoing strategic investments and shareholder returns.
Sportradar’s Chief Executive Officer, Carsten Koerl, expressed confidence in the acquisition’s strategic value, emphasizing the company’s ability to maximize investment returns through expanded content capabilities. “The addition of these strategic rights will unlock new growth opportunities, enabling us to deliver exceptional value to our partners, clients, and shareholders,” Koerl commented.
The acquisition aligns with Sportradar’s broader vision to maintain its status as a premier sports technology firm by expanding its content and technology portfolio, ultimately enhancing experiences for sports fans and bettors worldwide.
As the deal progresses toward completion in the final quarter of 2025, the market will closely watch how the combination of Sportradar and IMG Arena enhances innovation within the sports data and betting industries. This merger solidifies Sportradar’s competitive positioning and opens doors for expanded global reach and product diversification.
