Private Deals Are Moving Off Market

Private transactions are increasingly occurring outside public listings and open marketing processes. In 2026, this shift is particularly visible across sports, real estate, and private wealth, where discretion, speed, and control have become decisive advantages.

Public markets remain important, but they are no longer the default route for many deals. According to the Financial Times, private equity and long-term capital are playing a growing role across asset classes, with investors favouring negotiated transactions over public exposure.

In the Middle East, this trend is amplified by the nature of capital deployment. Sovereign investors, family offices and private wealth structures often prioritise confidentiality and long-term alignment over price discovery through public markets. As a result, deals are increasingly sourced through trusted networks rather than open processes.

This has implications for how firms operate. Advisory, legal, travel and venue-related services are now often engaged earlier in the deal cycle, supporting structuring, due diligence and execution behind closed doors. Transactions may involve multiple jurisdictions, private mandates and staggered timelines, all of which favour discreet coordination.

Premier Sports Network has seen this dynamic reflected in how relationships evolve. Trial engagements are giving way to longer-term partnerships as firms seek sustained access rather than one-off exposure. This aligns with a broader market shift toward relationship-led dealmaking.

Sport-linked assets are particularly suited to off-market activity. Venues, events, hospitality assets and related infrastructure often sit at the intersection of public interest and private capital. Keeping negotiations private allows stakeholders to manage reputational risk, regulatory complexity and long-term planning more effectively.

In 2026, the move off-market is not about opacity for its own sake. It is about control. As competition for high-quality assets intensifies, access, trust and timing increasingly matter more than visibility.