Disney+ lands rights to broadcast live Champions League matches in blow to rivals

Callum Vurley
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:25:52 +0000

Disney+ has won live broadcasting rights for men's Champions League football for the first time, marking a significant expansion into elite European club competition.

The US streaming giant emerged as the preferred bidder across multiple European markets in an auction covering 19 territories for the 2027-31 rights cycle, which wrapped up this week.

Sweden is understood to be among the countries where Disney secured rights, with Belgium also believed to be included in the deal.

The Belgian agreement reportedly extends to Europa League and Conference League coverage.

UC3, the joint venture between Uefa and European Football Clubs that manages commercial operations for top-tier European club tournaments, will formally announce all successful bidders.

The deal underscores the Champions League's expanding appeal among broadcasters and streaming services alike.

Uefa and UC3 secured price increases of between 20 and 30 per cent on existing agreements when they auctioned rights in the five largest European markets — the UK, Spain, Germany, Italy and France — last year.

The current round of sales is understood to have delivered further double-digit growth across the 19 territories up for auction, which included Austria, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland and several Nordic and Central European nations.

When all tenders conclude, Uefa anticipates its total television rights will surpass €5bn (£4.3bn) annually. The governing body also expects commercial partnerships to generate more than €1bn per year.

Disney's successful bids follow Paramount+'s acquisition of Champions League rights in the UK and Germany last November, highlighting streaming platforms' growing appetite for premium football content.

This trend is likely to please clubs and domestic leagues, as it signals rising demand for football broadcasting rights without drawing resources away from established players such as Sky Sports, TNT Sports or Dazn.

Disney has been steadily building its football portfolio over recent years.

The company already holds exclusive pan-European rights for the Women's Champions League through to 2030, alongside Europa League and Conference League coverage in Sweden and Denmark.

UC3 appointed American agency Relevent Football Partners last year to manage television and sponsorship tenders, ending Uefa's three-decade relationship with Swiss agency Team.