European Clubs Turn to Streaming Services: Uefa Update

Europe’s top football clubs are in line for a big payday as Uefa sets its sights on streaming giants for their next round of TV deals. The governing body is aiming to bring in over £4bn per year from the broadcast rights for the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League games.

The current TV rights, which were sold in 2024, are worth approximately £2.9bn annually. But Uefa is hoping to significantly increase that figure with the next round of deals, which will come into effect from 2027. Officials are optimistic that the new agreements could bring in a minimum of €5bn (£4.3bn) each year.

The rights are set to be put out to tender this month, with an expected six-year commitment – double the length of the current contracts. Streaming services like Amazon, Disney, or Netflix could potentially show one first-pick game per round, although the duration of this arrangement within the competition is still uncertain.

Broadcasters will have the opportunity to bid for rights in various markets simultaneously, with England, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany being the top five priority areas. Currently, Champions League clubs receive the lion’s share of the revenue from Uefa’s rights sales, with Europa League clubs getting 17% and Conference League teams receiving 8%.

In the UK, TNT and Amazon Prime currently broadcast live European games, while BBC Sport holds online highlight rights, along with a highlights show on BBC One. The league format for all three competitions, introduced last season, will remain unchanged.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin spoke about the future of European football at the European Football Clubs’ general assembly in Rome, emphasizing the organization’s ambition to deliver engaging, innovative, and accessible football. He highlighted the importance of attracting new fans and adapting to the evolving media and streaming landscape to keep European football at the pinnacle of the sport.