Qatar’s state-owned broadcaster beIN SPORTS has won the exclusive media rights to broadcast the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics across the Middle East and North Africa, as per the Guardian.
The deal was signed with the International Olympic Committee during the ongoing 2026 Winter Games, raising Qatar’s profile on the global sports stage.
📺 What this means for fans in MENA
Under the agreement, beIN SPORTS will be the sole channel group in the region showing all the action from LA 2028, including live competition, highlights, and Olympic coverage across TV and streaming platforms.
This further strengthens beIN’s position as the go-to broadcaster for major sporting events in the Middle East and North Africa.
This also comes on the back of a highly successful Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign for which beIN SPORTS claimed a cumulative 3.45 billion viewers across their television and digital platforms, with the final between Senegal and Morocco watched by 97.3 million viewers.
🌍 Boost for Qatar’s 2036 Olympic ambitions
While beIN is not directly part of Qatar’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, winning the broadcast rights adds momentum to the country’s long-term Olympic plans.
Qatar has been in ongoing dialogue with the IOC about bringing the Summer Games to Doha, aiming to become the first Arab nation to host the Olympics.
The rights victory is a sign of growing influence in international sport, even as competition for 2036 – including a strong bid from India sponsored by the Ambani family – continues to take shape.
🏙️ Qatar’s sporting strategy and challenges
Qatar has rapidly built world-class sports infrastructure over the last two decades, highlighted by hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and other major global tournaments.
Its Olympic bid leans heavily on this existing legacy, promising financial and environmental sustainability.
However, some observers note that social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights and women’s participation in sport, could shape how international audiences and decision-makers view Qatar as a future Olympic host.
🔜 What’s next
The beIN SPORTS deal gives fans across the region a single destination to watch LA 2028 – but it also plays into wider sporting ambitions for Qatar over the next decade.
With big events and major bidding campaigns ahead, the country’s role in global sport continues to expand.
