For the first time in over a decade, UEFA Champions League fans in the UK won’t be watching the biggest matches in European club football on TNT Sports. On November 21, 2025, UC3 — the joint venture between UEFA and European Football Clubs — officially handed the primary UK broadcast rights for the UEFA Champions League United Kingdom to Paramount+, the streaming arm of Paramount Global. The deal covers five seasons, from 2027-28 through 2030-31, ending an 11-year monopoly held by TNT Sports since 2015-16. The move isn’t just a corporate shuffle — it’s a seismic shift in how British fans will experience the world’s most-watched club competition.
The End of an Era for TNT Sports
TNT Sports, a joint venture between BT Group plc and Warner Bros Discovery Inc, had been the undisputed home of Champions League football in the UK. From the dramatic last-minute goals in Istanbul to the nerve-wracking knockout ties at the Santiago Bernabéu, British viewers tuned in to BT Sport — later rebranded as TNT Sports — for nearly every match. But the cost of keeping up with the streaming wars became too steep. In their official statement, TNT Sports didn’t cry foul. They were pragmatic: “Ultimately we remained committed to the approach that made financial sense for our business, and for our customers.” Translation? The bidding war got too expensive, and they chose to cut their losses.It’s not as if they’re disappearing from sports. They’ll still carry the English Premier League, the UEFA Europa League, and boxing. But losing the Champions League? That’s like losing the crown jewel. For many casual fans, Champions League night was the one night a week they’d pay attention to football. Now, that night moves elsewhere.
Paramount+’s Big Bet on Football
For Paramount+, this is a game-changer. Launched in the US in 2014 and only arriving in the UK in June 2022, the service has spent years building a library of movies, shows, and documentaries — but live sports? That’s been the missing piece. Now, with the bulk of Champions League matches — including the final, the semifinals, and most group stage and knockout games — Paramount+ gains instant credibility as a premium sports destination. It’s no longer just a place to watch 1883 or Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. It’s where you’ll watch Real Madrid vs. Manchester City.The exact number of matches isn’t public, but “majority” means at least 40 of the 125+ matches per season. That’s more than enough to draw subscribers. Analysts suggest Paramount+ could attract 1.2 million new UK subscribers within 18 months of the deal taking effect. For a company that’s been struggling to grow beyond its US base, this could be the catalyst.
Amazon Keeps a Foot in the Door
Don’t think this is a two-horse race. Amazon Prime Video didn’t walk away empty-handed. They kept the “first pick of Tuesday matches” — meaning they’ll air the most high-profile Tuesday night fixtures, likely including clashes between giants like Bayern Munich and Liverpool, or PSG and Inter Milan. They’ll also retain rights in two other unnamed European markets. This isn’t a consolation prize — it’s a strategic play. Amazon’s goal isn’t to own the whole tournament. It’s to own the *most valuable* matches, keeping its 25 million UK Prime subscribers engaged without paying for the entire package.This multi-platform approach is becoming standard. The Premier League does it. The NFL does it. Now, so does the Champions League. Fans might need two subscriptions to catch everything — and that’s exactly what the rights holders want.
Why This Matters for Viewers
The real question isn’t who wins — it’s what happens to the fans. Will Paramount+ charge extra for Champions League access? Will they bundle it with Showtime? Will they offer pay-per-view matches? The answer isn’t clear yet. But here’s what we know: in 2027, if you want to watch the Champions League live in the UK, you’ll need to subscribe to at least one streaming service. No more free-to-air highlights on BBC. No more Saturday night matches on Sky. It’s all behind a paywall.And that’s the broader trend. Sports broadcasting is no longer about TV channels. It’s about algorithms, data, and retention. Paramount+ isn’t buying rights to show football. They’re buying rights to keep you scrolling, watching, and paying.
What’s Next?
The transition will be smooth — TNT Sports will continue broadcasting until the end of the 2026-27 season. That gives Paramount+ 18 months to build out its production team, hire commentators, and market the service. Expect a heavy advertising push in early 2027, likely featuring stars like Gary Neville or Rio Ferdinand. Meanwhile, UEFA and UC3 will be watching closely: if Paramount+ delivers strong viewership and subscriber growth, it could set a new benchmark for future rights deals across Europe.One thing’s certain: the days of watching Champions League football on a single broadcaster are over. The future is fragmented, expensive, and entirely digital. And the UK is right in the middle of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Paramount+ start showing Champions League matches in the UK?
Paramount+ will begin broadcasting the majority of UEFA Champions League matches in the UK starting with the 2027-28 season, which kicks off in August 2027. The current rights holder, TNT Sports, will continue airing matches through the end of the 2026-27 season, meaning there’s a full transition period of about 18 months.
Will I still be able to watch Champions League matches on free TV?
No. For the first time in decades, no Champions League matches will be available on free-to-air television in the UK during the 2027-2031 cycle. All live matches will be exclusive to paid streaming services — primarily Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video. Highlights may still appear on platforms like BBC or ITV, but live viewing requires a subscription.
How does this affect BT Group and Warner Bros Discovery?
BT Group and Warner Bros Discovery, who jointly own TNT Sports, will lose a major revenue stream and subscriber driver. While they’ll retain rights to the Premier League and other sports, the Champions League was their flagship property. Their statement suggests they’re prioritizing profitability over prestige — likely to redirect resources toward more cost-effective content, including UFC and boxing.
Why did Amazon keep Tuesday night matches?
Amazon strategically kept the most attractive Tuesday fixtures — typically featuring top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, or Bayern Munich — to maintain viewer engagement without paying for the full package. This allows them to retain premium content for Prime subscribers while letting Paramount+ handle the bulk of the schedule. It’s a cost-efficient way to stay relevant in the sports streaming space.
Is this deal likely to make Paramount+ more popular in the UK?
Yes. Analysts predict Paramount+ could gain over 1.2 million UK subscribers within 18 months of launching Champions League coverage. Football remains the most powerful driver for streaming subscriptions in Britain. With the Champions League as its centerpiece, Paramount+ will compete directly with Disney+ and Apple TV+ for sports-savvy viewers.
What does this mean for the future of sports broadcasting in the UK?
This deal signals a permanent shift: premium sports are now exclusively streaming-only. Broadcasters will no longer compete for linear TV slots — they’ll compete for app downloads and monthly subscriptions. Expect more fragmentation, higher prices, and bundled packages. Fans may soon need three or four subscriptions just to watch all the major competitions they love.
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