Netflix Set to Bid $5.9 Billion for Exclusive UEFA Champions League Broadcast Rights

Global video streaming powerhouse Netflix is reportedly preparing a $5.9 billion bid to secure exclusive worldwide broadcast rights for the UEFA Champions League, starting from the 2027 season.

The move comes as UEFA — through its joint venture with the European Football Clubs (EFC), known as UC3 — prepares to revamp its broadcast strategy and open up rights to major digital streaming platforms for the 2027–2033 cycle.

Netflix, Amazon, and Apple Eye Global Football Rights

According to industry reports, UC3 will officially launch its first media rights tender on October 13, inviting bids from global streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon, and Apple.

The new rights package includes a groundbreaking “global first-pick” option, giving one broadcaster the ability to stream one exclusive Champions League match per round worldwide — a move expected to generate about $5.9 billion in revenue for UEFA.

The upcoming cycle will be managed by Relevent Sports Group, the U.S.-based agency that took over from UEFA’s long-term marketing partner, TEAM Marketing, in 2024. Relevent previously negotiated a six-year, $1.5 billion deal for Champions League rights in the United States with Paramount in 2022.

UEFA Embraces Digital Platforms for Global Reach

Speaking on the strategic shift, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said the new structure aims to leverage digital innovation to make European football more accessible and engaging for fans around the world.

“Together we are building something unique, with real ambition — to deliver the most engaging football, the most innovative, the most accessible,” Čeferin said. “We want to expand our core revenue streams and inspire new fans to follow our competitions.”

Under the plan, current UEFA broadcast partners will also be invited to bid for multiple markets and longer contract terms than the traditional three-year cycles, signaling a major shift in how global sports media rights are structured.

Streaming Revolution in Sports Broadcasting

The potential Netflix–UEFA deal would mark a major milestone in the ongoing convergence between streaming and live sports.

UEFA already works with digital partners — for instance, Amazon Prime Video currently broadcasts one Champions League match per round in the UK, Germany, and Italy.

Netflix, however, has been steadily expanding into live sports. The platform streamed an NFL game on Christmas Day and secured massive viewership for the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match. It also holds exclusive streaming rights to the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups.

If successful, Netflix’s bid could significantly boost its global subscriber base, positioning it as a formidable player in sports media, alongside rivals Amazon, DAZN, and Disney.

DAZN, Amazon, and Disney in the Mix

Competition for UEFA’s lucrative rights is expected to be fierce.

• DAZN already owns global streaming rights for the first two editions of the FIFA Club World Cup.

• Amazon Prime Video broadcasts weekly Champions League matches across several European markets.

• Disney recently struck a deal to screen every match of the Women’s Champions League through the 2029–2030 season.

• YouTube also entered the sports broadcasting space this year by streaming an exclusive NFL season opener.

What It Means for Fans

For fans, the move signals a new era of football streaming, where traditional TV may give way to platform-based access. However, it could also mean additional subscription costs for those wishing to watch every Champions League match.

If Netflix secures the rights, users would likely need to add another streaming platform to their list — marking a major transformation in how global audiences experience football.