Disney+ to Stream Live Champions League Matches in Groundbreaking Deal

Disney+ has scored a major win by securing the rights to broadcast live men’s Champions League matches for the first time. The streaming powerhouse emerged as the top bidder in a competitive process conducted by UEFA’s commercial arm, winning rights in markets across the globe.

In an exciting development, Disney+ will now be airing Champions League matches in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Central America, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, South America, Sweden, and Switzerland from 2027 to 2031. This move marks a significant shift towards streaming platforms like Disney+ in the world of sports broadcasting.

The announcement that Disney+ had secured rights in Brazil, Central America, Mexico, South America, Denmark, and Sweden comes on the heels of the news that Paramount+ had won rights in the UK and Germany for the same time period. This signals a clear trend away from traditional broadcasters towards streaming giants.

With the total value of UEFA’s TV rights expected to surpass €5 billion a year, it’s evident that digital-first platforms are driving the evolution of sports broadcasting. Disney+ already holds the rights to the Women’s Champions League across Europe until 2030, as well as the Europa League, Conference League, Copa del Rey, and DFB-Pokal in various markets.

Karl Holmes, general manager of Disney+ EMEA, expressed excitement about bringing the UEFA Champions League men’s and women’s competitions to fans in Sweden for the first time, in addition to renewing rights for the Europa League and Conference League in Sweden and Denmark. This move expands Disney+’s sports offerings in Europe, allowing fans to enjoy the thrilling moments of UEFA club football alongside their favorite stories on the platform.

The landscape of sports broadcasting is rapidly evolving, and this development highlights the growing influence of streaming platforms in delivering premium sports content to audiences worldwide.