CVC Capital Partners Nears Major External Investment for $14bn Global Sport Group

CVC Capital Partners is reportedly moving toward a deal for external investment in its $14bn Global Sport Group. The move is expected to provide the private equity giant with a fresh injection of capital to fuel a new wave of sports acquisitions scheduled for early 2026. This development follows the establishment of the Global Sport Group as a dedicated platform to consolidate CVC’s extensive sports interests and scale its investment strategy across international leagues and governing bodies.

Under the leadership of Marc Allera, the former chief executive of EE, the Global Sport Group manages a high profile portfolio that includes minority stakes in LaLiga, Ligue 1, and the Women’s Tennis Association. Its footprint also extends deeply into rugby through interests in the Six Nations, Premiership Rugby, and the United Rugby Championship. The anticipated investment coincides with a broader effort to refinance existing debt, ensuring the platform is structurally prepared for further expansion. CVC has consistently signalled that its strategy remains focused on taking minority positions in leagues and rights holders, rather than acquiring individual clubs, to mitigate risk while capitalising on commercial growth.

The group’s recent activities underscore a commitment to strengthening its strategic and commercial depth. It recently launched an Athlete Advisory Board in collaboration with Roc Nation Sports International, featuring prominent sporting figures such as David Villa and Siya Kolisi to advise on portfolio development. Since its exit from Formula 1 in 2016, CVC has remained one of the most active institutional investors in the sector. While it recently divested a majority stake in the IPL franchise Gujarat Titans, the firm maintains a diverse array of assets across volleyball and media via holdings like Bruin Capital. This latest capital raise suggests CVC is doubling down on its belief that sports rights remain a resilient and high growth asset class.