Champions League TV rights: UEFA eyes huge windfall, Canal+ under threat

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·18 novembre 2025

Champions League TV rights: UEFA eyes huge windfall, Canal+ under threat

Today is the day for the consultation on the broadcasting rights for the Champions League for the period 2027-2031 following the call for tenders launched by UEFA on October 13. L’Equipe provides an update this morning on what is expected, with new broadcasters through streaming platforms. This allows the European body (along with the clubs) to hope for another significant increase in revenue. However, this is a concern for Canal+, currently the exclusive broadcaster of the competition in France.

"The goal for UEFA: exceed 5 billion euros in annual revenue."

"D-Day for the consultation on the Champions League rights. Launched on October 13 by UEFA for the 2027-2031 cycle, it could deliver its verdict this Tuesday, the deadline for the submission of financial offers by broadcasters. The goal for UEFA: exceed 5 billion euros in annual revenue. 'Today, across the three competitions, we achieve 4.4 billion euros in revenue per season (including 3.6 solely from the Champions League),' recalled marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein in L’Équipe on October 21. During the last call for tenders, growth was 25%, but we had launched the new format. This time, we are aiming for another 20 to 25% increase.'

"Canal+ is very likely to lose its exclusivity in France"

Behind the "we" hides UC3, the joint venture between UEFA (51%) and the powerful EFC (49%), the association of European clubs chaired by Nasser al-Khelaïfi. It is notably in charge of the commercialization of these rights, with the American marketing agency Relevent, chosen for its links with the streaming giants. Faced with the announced new competition, Canal+ is very likely to lose its exclusivity in France, while it currently pays 480 million euros per season for 100% of the matches of the three European Cups until 2027."

No surprise, UEFA aims high with a competition that, despite strong criticism before the start of the new format, seems to please everyone. There is more suspense and very exciting matchups. Not to mention, of course: more matches. This should lead to better revenue. It is then quite easy to understand why clubs and players only gently oppose an increasingly packed schedule.

Vidéos OneFootball

However, there will have to be a stop at some point. While waiting to see where the limit will be set, the broadcasting of the Champions League could be brought to change from 2027, especially in France. This will therefore be something to watch closely.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.