The Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) has issued recommendations to La Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LNFP) regarding the auction of audiovisual rights for certain Primera División matches starting from the 2024/2025 season. The CNMC emphasizes the need for a transparent, competitive, and non-discriminatory bidding process.

Specifically, the recommendations address two lots of matches that include five matches per matchday and one to three standalone matchdays, covering the period from January 20, 2025, to the end of the 2026/2027 season. The rights in question pertain to live and exclusive broadcasts for residential customers in Spain and Andorra.

Among the key recommendations, the CNMC advises the LNFP to avoid unjustified restrictions, such as excluding free-to-air television operators. It also suggests using objective and measurable criteria to enhance certainty for operators and limit the LNFP's discretion in areas like reserve pricing and technical-professional evaluation of bids.

Furthermore, the CNMC calls for a clear and precise definition of the rights being offered, the removal of restrictions related to advertising and promotion for the winning bidders, and clarification that the rights are not owned by the LNFP unless granted by the Real Decreto-ley 5/2015. The recommendations are made under Article 4 of the Real Decreto-ley 5/2015, which mandates that commercializers seek prior reports from the CNMC on proposed marketing conditions.