liberty global neemt volledige controle over vodafoneziggo met blik op beursgang
Amsterdam, woensdag, 18 februari 2026.
liberty global koopt het 50% aandeel van vodafone in vodafoneziggo voor 1 miljard euro. daarmee neemt liberty volledige zeggenschap over het belangrijkste telecomcombinatie in nederland. vodafone ontvangt naast contant geld ook 10% van het nieuwe ziggo group, dat in 2027 naar de beurs moet. dit bedrijf bundelt de activiteiten in nederland en belgië. klanten hoeven zich geen zorgen te maken over directe wijzigingen. het merk en management blijven behouden. de move moet de waarde voor aandeelhouders vergroten. liberty ziet synergies ter waarde van 1 miljard euro. de transactie hangt af van regulatoire goedkeuring en sluit in de tweede helft van 2026 af.
full control over dutch telecom operator
Liberty Global has agreed to acquire Vodafone’s 50% stake in VodafoneZiggo for €1.0 billion in cash [1]. This transaction gives Liberty Global full ownership of the Dutch telecommunications provider. As part of the deal, Vodafone will receive a 10% equity interest in the newly formed Ziggo Group [1]. The consolidation aims to strengthen Liberty Global’s position in the Benelux region. Full operational control is expected to unlock strategic and financial benefits for the parent company [1][2].
creation of ziggo group and future listing
The newly established Ziggo Group will combine VodafoneZiggo and Telenet under one corporate umbrella [2]. Both entities will retain their existing brand names and management structures [2]. Liberty Global plans to list Ziggo Group on Euronext Amsterdam in 2027 [2]. At that time, Liberty intends to spin off its 90% ownership stake to its shareholders [1]. This separation is designed to clarify the investment proposition of each entity [1][2].
strategic rationale and expected synergies
Liberty Global expects significant operational and financial synergies from the restructuring [1]. The net present value of these synergies is estimated at €1 billion, net of integration costs [1]. Mike Fries, Chairman and CEO of Liberty Global, stated the move aligns with the firm’s long-term value creation strategy [1]. The company anticipates achieving adjusted free cash flow of approximately €500 million by 2028 [1]. Leverage is targeted at around 4.5x by that year [1].
regulatory process and timeline
The acquisition remains subject to standard regulatory approvals [1]. Liberty Global expects the transaction to close in the second half of 2026 [1]. Until then, both VodafoneZiggo and Telenet will continue normal operations under current leadership [2]. Customers are unlikely to experience immediate changes in service or branding [2]. The holding structure change primarily affects corporate governance and ownership rather than day-to-day activities [1][2].
financial adjustments and asset transfers
As part of the broader restructuring, Liberty Global will transfer its regional Benelux assets into Ziggo Group [1]. Concurrently, Liberty is divesting roughly 50% of its stake in Wyre [1]. Proceeds from the Wyre sale will contribute to reducing debt at Telenet [1]. The remaining portion of Liberty’s Wyre stake will be retained entirely within the company [1]. These moves reflect a wider portfolio optimization effort ahead of the planned spin-off [1].