TV rights for new Women’s Champions Cup featuring Arsenal remain unsold | OneFootball

Arsenal will take part in the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup

FIFA has reportedly been unable to sell TV rights for the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup which will feature Champions League holders Arsenal.

Football’s governing body had been looking to sell rights for the semi-finals, third-place playoff and the final, which all take place between January 28th and February 1st, 2026.

FIFA unable to sell TV rights for Women’s Champions Cup

As reported by The Guardian, FIFA have not yet been able to find a broadcaster who will agree for the TV rights to show the Women’s Champions Cup.

The report claims that Sky Sports and BBC, who show the Women’s Super League, have been offered to show the tournament.

However, both broadcasters reportedly showed “little interest” in staging the four matches to be held in London.

The Guardian report that a last-minute deal could still be reached, although it is “unclear” whether broadcasters will be interested.

FIFA also initially struggled to sell the men’s Club World Cup, which ultimately went to DAZN after they paid £1 billion for the rights, in a move said to be largely funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Channel 5 also showed several games after reaching a sub-licensing agreement with DAZN.

Although it has been confirmed that the matches will be held in London, there is no confirmation as to which stadium the games will be played in as yet.

Which teams are in the Women’s Champions Cup?

Three teams have officially been confirmed to be involved in the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup.

Arsenal will arguably be favourites since the game is to be played on home soil in London. They will also be joined by Corinthians (the Copa Libertadores holders) and Gotham FC (the Concacaf champions).

They will be joined by the winner of this month’s playoff between Chinese side Wuhan Jiangda or Moroccan side AS FAR.

Concerns over football calendar

Women’s football fans expressed concerns over the growing calendar amid the 2026 addition of the Women’s Champions Cup and the 2028’s planned inaugural Women’s Club World Cup.

In a letter from the Football Supporters’ Association to the WSL and FA, “serious concerns” were expressed over the Women’s Club World Cup in particular.

The letter was co-signed by 34 supporter groups, including fans of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

The letter expressed concerns over the health of the players and how the domestic landscape could be distorted if an English team won the competition and took a huge financial prize.

It will be different to the Women’s Champions Cup, as the Club World Cup would feature 16 teams including six from Europe.