Disney+ has secured the rights to broadcast live men’s Champions League matches for the first time, marking a further shift in European football’s migration from traditional TV to streaming platforms.
The entertainment giant emerged as a preferred bidder across multiple markets following UEFA’s auction of broadcast packages for its flagship club competition. Disney will show Champions League football in Sweden, Denmark, Brazil, Mexico, Central America and South America from the 2027-28 season onwards, while also picking up Europa League and Conference League rights across those territories.
The deal represents a major statement of intent from Disney as it looks to build out the sports offering on its streaming service. The company already holds pan-European rights for the Women’s Champions League until 2030.
‘UEFA club football brings some of the most exciting nights in sport – the midweek games, the knockout ties, the energy around the biggest fixtures – moments that stay with you long after the final whistle,’ said Karl Holmes, general manager of Disney+ EMEA. ‘We’re particularly proud to bring our customers in Sweden the UEFA Champions League men’s and women’s competitions for the first time ever.’
The announcement follows Paramount+ winning UK and German rights last November, and together the deals point to streaming services competing aggressively for premium football competitions in much the same way they have pursued NFL rights in the United States.
The financial stakes are considerable. UEFA expects total broadcast revenue to exceed €5 billion a year once all tenders are completed. The latest results announced represent a near-40 per cent increase on the current cycle, according to industry sources.
Champions League coverage in the UK is currently split between TNT Sports and Amazon
Arsenal are the only English team left in the competition after reaching the semi-final
UEFA’s commercial arm, UC3, ran the tender process across 19 markets alongside commercial rights distributer Relevent Football Partners including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Romania and Switzerland. The governing body said the auction attracted ‘strong interest from a broad range of media organisations’ and noted the ‘continued growth of global, digital-first platforms’ was reshaping the landscape.
Sky and DAZN picked up Austrian rights, with DAZN also extending its deal in Portugal. Canal+ retained coverage in Belgium and Poland. In Ireland, Premier Sports will continue showing first-pick Tuesday fixtures, while RTÉ keeps Wednesday’s top match. TV2 held onto Norwegian rights, and Viaplay retained Denmark.
For viewers, the shift means Champions League football will increasingly sit behind streaming subscriptions rather than traditional pay-TV packages with the likes of Disney, Paramount and Amazon now in direct competition with established sports broadcasters.
