A new chapter in the sports data and betting industry is unfolding as the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) begins examining Sportradar’s proposed $225m (£167m) acquisition of IMG Arena.
The deal, announced in March 2025, would see Sportradar, a global leader in sports technology and data, take control of IMG Arena’s extensive sports betting rights portfolio, including data and streaming services for over 70 major sports properties such as Wimbledon, the PGA Tour and all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments.
The CMA’s review, launched with an ‘invitation to comment’ on July 11th, is the first step in a process designed to determine whether the merger could result in a ‘substantial lessening of competition’ in the UK’s sports data, media rights and betting services sectors.
Stakeholders and interested parties have until July 25th to submit their feedback, which will help shape the regulator’s next steps.
According to the CMA, the focus is on whether the transaction might create a ‘relevant merger situation’ under the Enterprise Act 2002 and if it could harm competition in the market.
Market Impact and Regulatory Scrutiny
The inquiry comes amid concerns that a combined Sportradar-IMG Arena entity could dominate the UK market for sports data and betting services, potentially raising barriers for other providers and impacting pricing and innovation.
As the CMA stated, it is ‘considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation… and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the UK for goods or services.’
IMG Arena’s portfolio includes around 39,000 official data events and 30,000 live-streamed events annually, covering a broad spectrum of sports and leagues.
Sportradar, already a major player with partnerships across global sports and even esports, including the NBA, MLB, and Riot Games, would further consolidate its position with this acquisition.
The CMA’s decision on whether to proceed with a formal Phase 1 investigation will be informed by the feedback received during this consultation period.
The outcome could set a precedent for future mergers and acquisitions in the rapidly evolving sports data and betting technology sector.
For now, the industry awaits the regulator’s next move as the July 25th deadline for comments approaches.
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