Netflix explores UEFA Champions League broadcast rights

Netflix is reportedly considering bidding for the global rights to show one UEFA Champions League match per round, as part of a major overhaul of the European governing body’s broadcast deals set to take effect from the 2027-28 season.

The changes, designed to attract global streaming platforms, could increase UEFA’s annual income from club competitions from €4.4 billion to at least €5 billion (£4.4 billion), according to sources. Netflix has already been approached to gauge its interest, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Under the new system, the platform securing the global rights would have the first pick of Tuesday matches but would face limits on how often a single team can be featured, preventing, for example, a team like Real Madrid from being selected every week.

While Netflix has not yet made a major push into sports broadcasting, the platform has previously streamed an NFL game at Christmas and the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match, which drew a peak of 65 million streams. Netflix also holds the U.S. rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups.

Meanwhile, other Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League matches will be sold in packages allowing broadcasters to bid across multiple major markets, including the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France. Amazon currently shows one Champions League match per round in the UK, Germany, and Italy, while Apple holds global rights to Major League Soccer.

By Vugar Khalilov