The Delhi High Court has issued notice in a writ petition seeking directions to ensure accessibility of the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast in India through the free-to-air public broadcasting plat form Prasar Bharati. 

The petition highlights that the FIFA World Cup has been notified as a “Sporting Event of National Importance” under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007.

It has been submitted that despite the tournament being scheduled to commence on 11 June 2026, no broadcaster has yet acquired the broadcasting rights for India, thereby raising concerns regarding public access to one of the most widely viewed sporting events globally.

Appearing on behalf of the Petitioner, Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar submitted that access to sporting events of national importance forms part of the constitutional right to receive information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India, and failure to broadcast the tournament would amount to a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights under Articles 14, 19(1)(a) and 21.

The submissions further drew attention to Section 12 of the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, which mandates fair, balanced and adequate coverage of sports and events of national importance in furtherance of public interest broadcasting.

The petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed by Advocate Avdhesh Bairwa and is being represented by Hammurabi & Solomon Partners under the guidance of Shweta Bharti, Jyoti K. Chaudhary and Rohit Jolly. 

The matter is being led by Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar along with the Firm’s team comprising: Ankit Konwar, Avdhesh Bairwa, Subhashni Kumari, Prateek Singh, Nishi  Rathore and Nishi Kashyap.

The matter raises important questions concerning sports broadcasting regulation, constitutional freedoms and public access to events of national importance.

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