The Federation of International Bandy -FIB- has announced a strategic agreement with Sportfive, which becomes the exclusive global media rights partner for the FIB World Championships 2026, to be held in Pori (Finland). The agreement represents a significant step in the internationalisation strategy of bandy and reinforces the ambition to expand the sport’s visibility and reach new audiences.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sportfive will manage the global distribution of broadcast and digital content for the championship, as well as the development of commercial opportunities linked to the event. The 2026 edition, which will bring together both men’s and women’s competitions, will take place between 12 and 18 January and will feature national teams from Finland, Sweden, Norway, the United States, Hungary and the Netherlands.
Attila Adamfi, Secretary General of the FIB, stated that “partnering with Sportfive as our exclusive global media rights agency marks a milestone for our federation”, highlighting that the international experience and global network of the commercial partner will enable broader coverage and bring bandy closer to millions of fans worldwide. Along the same lines, Tigran Sirunyan, Executive Vice President Media at Sportfive, explained that the agency approaches the agreement with the aim of “delivering a top-level bandy experience to fans around the world”.
Sportfive and its role in the media expansion of bandy
Headquartered in Hamburg (Germany), Sportfive is a global sports marketing agency specialising in media rights, sponsorship and the commercial development of major sporting events. The company operates across dozens of markets and works with international federations, leagues and event organisers in disciplines ranging from football and motorsport to winter sports.
Its expertise in creating coherent broadcast products, negotiating distribution agreements and activating commercial partners is one of the cornerstones of the agreement with the FIB. For bandy, this collaboration translates into increased international exposure, a clearer narrative for the sport and new opportunities to consolidate its positioning as a winter team sport on the global calendar.
Changes and growth pathways for bandy
The agreement with Sportfive builds on a broader period of growth for bandy at international level. In recent years, the FIB has promoted the integration of men’s and women’s world championships, greater coordination of the international calendar and a stronger digital presence, with the aim of making the sport more accessible and easier to understand for new audiences.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Pori World Championship is seen as a key showcase within this growth process. Improvements in broadcast production, expanded international distribution and the creation of commercial assets linked to the event form part of a wider strategy designed to strengthen the base of national federations, attract new followers and consolidate long-term partnerships.
Bandy, a sport with more than a century of history
Bandy is a winter team sport with a history spanning more than a century, with its modern rules developed in northern Europe in the late nineteenth century. The Federation of International Bandy, founded in 1955 and recognised by the International Olympic Committee -IOC-, is the governing body responsible for regulating and promoting the sport worldwide.
Throughout its history, bandy has maintained a strong presence in Nordic countries and parts of eastern Europe, with the World Championships serving as its flagship international competition. Agreements such as the one reached with Sportfive reflect the FIB’s intention to project this historical legacy into a more global model, supported by media innovation and the commercial development of the sport.
