April 2 (Reuters) - Canada's Rogers Communications ( RCIAF )

announced on Wednesday a new 12-year agreement worth

C$11 billion ($7.68 billion) to secure media rights for the

National Hockey League (NHL) games across all platforms in

Canada.

As the Canadian telecom company is reaching the end of its

current deal, originally signed in 2013, the new agreement is

set to kick in for the 2026 season.

The telecom giant is doubling down on sports as a key growth

strategy, aiming to strengthen its dominance in Canadian sports,

amid intense competition in the country's wireless industry.

Rogers has secured rights across TV, digital and streaming,

for all national games, including the Stanley Cup final, in all

languages. The deal allows fans to access more live games with

fewer regional blackouts, the company said.

"Sports are core to our company, and these rights are the

most valuable sports rights in Canada," said CEO Tony Staffieri.

Last year, Rogers Communications ( RCIAF ) said it would buy Bell's

stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for C$4.7 billion

($3.46 billion) to become the majority owner of the Canadian

sports firm behind the Toronto Raptors basketball team and NHL's

Toronto Maple Leafs.

($1 = 1.4321 Canadian dollars)