< Back to reports

The Champions League's next cycle: Will streamers hear the call?

14 April 2025
Access report

UEFA and Relevent, a newly appointed media rights sales partner, are already surveying the rights market for the next cycle starting in 2027.

With minimal competitive tension in major European markets, incumbent broadcasters are unlikely to increase their bids.

Relevent will, however, try to leverage increased US appetite for soccer to lure a streamer into a global deal.

 

Related reports

Restyled Champions League 2024-27 tender kicks off: UEFA plays footsie with Amazon

7 June 2022

With more clubs, more games and no long Christmas break, the revamped Champions League (CL) will test its value to broadcasters with a tender that has just been released in France, over two years before the cycle begins

UEFA is banking on the rivalry between Canal+/BeIN, the ongoing rights-holders, and Amazon, broadcaster of Ligue 1 in France, and of the CL in Germany and Italy

Prime’s economics point to Amazon sticking to cautious, ‘value’-driven bidding in France. It could expand its limited sports line up in the UK and Spain with the CL, but only if current licensees BT/Warner Bros. Discovery and Telefónica take a step back from 100% coverage

Access report

US streamers and sports: Europe is a tougher nut to crack

27 January 2025

Global streamers have expanded their US premium sports coverage, but this will be difficult to replicate in Europe.

The main obstacle is much lower advertising revenues in European sport.

The concentration of European football rights and small pools of buyers mean that premium sports must be retailed on an opt-in basis.

Access report

  • Restyled Champions League 2024-27 tender kicks off: UEFA plays footsie with Amazon

    7 June 2022

    With more clubs, more games and no long Christmas break, the revamped Champions League (CL) will test its value to broadcasters with a tender that has just been released in France, over two years before the cycle begins

    UEFA is banking on the rivalry between Canal+/BeIN, the ongoing rights-holders, and Amazon, broadcaster of Ligue 1 in France, and of the CL in Germany and Italy

    Prime’s economics point to Amazon sticking to cautious, ‘value’-driven bidding in France. It could expand its limited sports line up in the UK and Spain with the CL, but only if current licensees BT/Warner Bros. Discovery and Telefónica take a step back from 100% coverage

    Access report

  • US streamers and sports: Europe is a tougher nut to crack

    27 January 2025

    Global streamers have expanded their US premium sports coverage, but this will be difficult to replicate in Europe.

    The main obstacle is much lower advertising revenues in European sport.

    The concentration of European football rights and small pools of buyers mean that premium sports must be retailed on an opt-in basis.

    Access report