The landscape of Champions League broadcasting rights is potentially on the verge of a significant shift, with streaming giants like Netflix and Disney emerging as strong contenders. As UEFA and European clubs anticipate a substantial increase in revenue from the next rights sale, these platforms could disrupt the traditional broadcast model.
Currently, UEFA and European clubs are projecting a substantial increase in media and commercial rights revenue, aiming for €5 billion (£4.3 billion) per year in the upcoming cycle. This marks a significant rise from the £3.3 billion secured for the current cycle. The potential involvement of streaming services like Netflix, Disney, and Amazon signals a strategic move towards capturing a global audience.
One of the key proposals being considered is the introduction of a "global first pick" option, granting exclusive rights to one Champions League game per round to a single broadcaster. This option, which will be presented to broadcasters in the upcoming tender for the rights to televise UEFA's club competitions from 2027 to 2033, could be particularly appealing to streaming services with a worldwide reach.
For viewers in the UK, this shift could lead to further fragmentation of broadcast rights, potentially increasing subscription costs as rights are spread across more broadcasters. Currently, TNT Sports and Amazon hold the rights.
The sale of rights for Europe's five largest television markets is expected to occur simultaneously, opening the door for a single broadcaster to potentially acquire rights across all these markets. However, a truly global deal may not be feasible until 2030, as CBS holds a six-year deal in the United States until then.
Adding another dimension to the evolving broadcast landscape, Disney+ has already secured the broadcasting rights for the Women's Champions League for the next five years. This agreement encompasses multiple European territories, including the United Kingdom, signifying Disney+'s entry into the women's club football market. The deal includes live broadcasts of every match in the competition.
This move by Disney+ follows Netflix's acquisition of the United States broadcast rights for the 2027 and 2031 Women's World Cups. With Disney+ joining established broadcasters like the BBC, Sky, ITV, Channel 4, and TNT Sports in the UK market, fans may face challenges in accessing all tournaments without multiple subscriptions.
Disney+ is estimated to have around 125 million subscribers globally. The deal was negotiated by UC3, a joint venture between UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA), giving clubs a direct voice in the negotiations. Some matches are expected to remain free-to-air, at least in the UK. The Women's Champions League format will expand the number of teams from 16 to 18 and replace the group stage with a league phase, leading directly to the playoffs.
