Football supporters in the UK are staring at potential annual television bills exceeding £1,350, following a major broadcast rights shake-up that sees Paramount+ secure the Champions League from 2027.
The New Football Broadcasting Landscape
The American-owned streaming service Paramount+ made the largest bid in an auction for the UK rights to the prestigious Champions League from 2027 to 2031. This deal is understood to be significantly higher than the current £1 billion agreement with TNT Sports.
This move is part of a substantial reorganisation of European football TV rights confirmed by UEFA. In a significant blow to TNT Sports, Sky Sports has secured the rights to show all Europa League and Conference League matches. Meanwhile, the BBC will continue to broadcast Champions League highlights.
Further fragmenting the market, Amazon Prime will retain its rights to the first pick of Tuesday evening Champions League matches. Paramount+ will get priority on Wednesday nights and gain exclusive rights to broadcast the final.
The Mounting Cost for Fans
The entry of another major player means fans will likely need yet another subscription to follow their favourite teams, pushing costs to new heights. A breakdown of the current essential monthly subscriptions reveals the stark financial picture:
- Sky Sports: £50 (Includes majority of Premier League, Carabao Cup, Bundesliga, and European competitions from 2027)
- TNT Sports: £30.99 (Includes Premier League primetime games, FA Cup, and Serie A)
- Amazon Prime: £8.99 (Required for some Champions League matches)
- Paramount+: £7.99 (Will be essential for Champions League from 2027)
- TV Licence (BBC): £14.54 (Required to watch live television, including FA Cup matches and highlights)
Combining these subscriptions leads to a potential monthly outlay of £112.51, which totals £1,350.12 annually. This figure could rise further for fans wishing to watch LaLiga on Premier Sports or the Women's Champions League on Disney+.
Broadcasters React to the Changes
Sky Sports welcomed its return to European football after losing the rights in 2015. Jonathan Licht, Sky Sports' Chief Sports Officer, stated: "I'm proud that we're able to bring European football competitions back to Sky customers... This partnership is made possible by the strength of our business model and brand as the home of sport in the UK."
Despite losing the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, TNT Sports insisted it still offers "great value". A statement highlighted their retained portfolio, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and other premium sports like cricket, rugby, and UFC.
While fans are likely to shop around for deals to mitigate costs, the full impact of Paramount's UK model remains unclear. A further industry twist could see Paramount, which owns Channel 5, bid for TNT Sports' owners, Warner Bros Discovery.
