FIFA World Cup 2026: VTV strictly prohibits businesses from charging extra fees for watching football matches.
Vietnam Television (VTV) warns that charging extra fees or incorporating advertisements during the broadcast of the 2026 World Cup constitutes a serious copyright violation and will be dealt with according to the law.
Vietnam Television (VTV) has just issued an official announcement regarding the management of broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Accordingly, any activities involving charging additional fees or commercializing the broadcast in public places without the consent of the copyright holder are considered serious violations of the law.
Copyright infringement warning at business establishments.
Recently, VTV has received numerous reports regarding some restaurants, cafes, and service businesses exploiting the broadcast of FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches to charge customers extra fees. In addition, some establishments are organizing advertising and sponsorship activities alongside the tournament broadcast.
A representative from VTV affirmed that these actions constitute serious violations of the conditions for non-commercial public screenings permitted by VTV and FIFA. Currently, the agency is actively collecting data and evidence to complete the dossier and submit it to the competent authorities for consideration and strict handling of the violations.
4 mandatory conditions for a valid World Cup 2026 screening.
According to FIFA regulations, showing match content in locations such as restaurants, hotels, or public areas via VTV's infrastructure is classified as a "Non-Commercial Public Screening Event". This form of screening is only considered valid when it meets all four mandatory conditions:
- Completely free and non-commercial:The screenings must not be for profit. Facilities are not permitted to charge any entrance fee in any form, whether direct or indirect (such as additional ticket or service charges).
- No advertisements or sponsorships included.Absolutely no sponsorship activities or commercial advertisements should be included with the broadcast. Furthermore, original advertisements broadcast on television must not be obscured or replaced.
- For groups under 5,000 people:The venue for the screening must have a capacity of 5,000 spectators or fewer. If this number is exceeded, the event will be classified as "Special" and will require official permission from VTV and FIFA.
- Use the infrastructure properly and legally:The broadcast must be conducted via signals from platforms and infrastructure licensed by FIFA, specifically the signal channel of Vietnam Television.
Commitment to protecting audience rights.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is currently being broadcast free of charge by VTV on its official platforms and channels to serve the sporting viewing needs of audiences nationwide. Strict adherence to non-commercial broadcasting regulations not only ensures the legality of the event but also protects the best possible football viewing experience for the community.
VTV requests that public screening venues, restaurants, and cafes cooperate closely to ensure the rule of law is upheld. Viewers who discover businesses engaging in profiteering or charging illegal fees can send their feedback via email.[email protected]or through the official social media pages of Vietnam Television.
