Globo Extends Rio Open Partnership With Exclusive Rights Through 2031

Globo has renewed its partnership with the Rio Open, securing exclusive broadcasting rights to the tournament through 2031 in a move that further strengthens the Brazilian broadcaster’s position in tennis.

The new agreement covers the 2027 to 2031 editions of the ATP 500 tournament and will see Globo continue to distribute the event across its portfolio of television and digital platforms. Sportv will remain the tournament’s principal broadcast home, while the wider agreement expands coverage across Globo’s free-to-air and digital properties.

The renewal comes as competition for sports broadcasting rights in Brazil continues to intensify, particularly in digital media. Globo’s decision to retain exclusive control of the Rio Open underlines the importance of tennis within its broader sports strategy and gives the broadcaster a long-term property around which it can build television, streaming and digital content.

Under the new arrangement, Sportv will provide full coverage of matches from the tournament’s centre court throughout the seven-day event. Globoplay will carry matches from Court 1, while Ge TV will offer free coverage, including at least one first-round match per day as well as the semi-finals and final.

The multi-platform strategy allows Globo to target different audiences while increasing the overall visibility of the Rio Open. It also reflects the changing way Brazilian audiences consume live sport, with broadcasters increasingly combining traditional television coverage with streaming and free digital distribution.

The deal arrives against a backdrop of growing competition from digital-first sports platforms, particularly CazéTV, which has been expanding its presence across Brazilian sport and building an increasingly significant audience for live events.

Globo’s continued investment in the Rio Open therefore extends beyond simply retaining the rights to the tournament. The broadcaster will also increase its presence around the event through social media content, behind-the-scenes coverage, guest appearances and additional programming.

The agreement includes an exclusive Globo activation lounge and a greater physical presence for the broadcaster within the tournament environment, creating additional opportunities for fan engagement and commercial activations.

The Rio Open has been an important property in Globo’s tennis portfolio since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2014. Over more than a decade, the partnership has developed alongside the growth of tennis in Brazil.

Eduardo Gabbay, Globo’s Director of Sports Channels, said the renewal reflected the broadcaster’s long-term commitment to the tournament and to improving the experience for tennis fans.

“The relationship between Globo and, in particular, sportv with the Rio Open has already exceeded a decade and reflects our commitment to strengthening the tournament and the best experience for tennis fans,” Gabbay said.

He also pointed to the growing momentum around tennis in Brazil, particularly with the emergence of João Fonseca as one of the country’s most prominent young players.

“We live in a unique moment for the sport in Brazil, driven by the talent of João Fonseca and the growing interest of the public,” he added.

Fonseca’s rise provides an additional commercial and audience opportunity for Brazilian tennis. A homegrown player competing on the international stage can help drive interest in domestic tournaments while giving broadcasters a compelling local narrative around the sport.

For the Rio Open, Globo’s long-term commitment provides stability at a time when the sports media landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented. For Globo, the tournament offers a combination of premium live sport, a strong domestic identity and growing digital potential.

The agreement also illustrates a wider shift in sports broadcasting in Brazil. Rather than relying on a single television outlet, major rights holders and broadcasters are increasingly distributing content across linear television, streaming services, free digital platforms and social media.

For Globo, retaining the Rio Open through 2031 ensures that one of Brazil’s most important tennis properties remains firmly within its ecosystem while allowing the broadcaster to compete for audiences across every major viewing platform.

As competition from digital broadcasters continues to grow, the Rio Open could prove to be an important battleground in the next phase of Brazil’s sports media market.