Europe's leading football clubs are aiming to secure at least €5bn (£4.3bn) annually from the sale of television rights for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League in the next cycle, representing a potential 10% increase on the current value. The first media rights tenders for the period between 2027 and 2033 will be launched this month, with a groundbreaking provision that one game per matchweek could be streamed globally by a single provider, opening the door for platforms such as Disney or Netflix to screen men's Champions League matches.
The current rights cycle generates £2.9bn annually, with Champions League clubs taking approximately 75% of earnings. In a significant change, the rights for Europe's five major markets — England, France, Italy, Germany and Spain — will be offered simultaneously in one tender, allowing a single broadcaster to acquire the rights for all five countries rather than purchasing them individually. This move is expected to attract major global streaming services and traditional broadcasters alike.
The tender process will be the first major challenge for UC3, the joint venture between Uefa and the European Football Clubs (formerly the European Club Association). Relevent Sports, the American events promoter, was appointed this year as UC3's global marketing and sales partner. Speaking at the general assembly in Rome, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin addressed delegates, emphasising the need for innovation in broadcast deals without explicitly referencing the rights tenders.
“Together we are building something unique with ambition, to deliver the most engaging football, the most innovative and the most accessible, to expand our core revenue streams,” Ceferin said. “To inspire new fans to follow our competitions, to drive engagement with new audiences, especially in an ever‑changing media and streaming rights landscape, and to make the most of digital platforms and bring the game closer together forever. This is how we will keep European football at the very top.”
In the UK, TNT and Amazon currently hold the rights to screen live Champions League fixtures, while the BBC is entitled to show highlights. The new tender could reshape the broadcasting landscape, with potential interest from streaming giants looking to expand their live sports portfolios.
