Netflix will bid for the broadcast rights of the Champions League

Netflix It does not want to be left behind and is looking to bet on live sports broadcasting.

A report published by The Times reveals that The streamer could soon bid for global rights to the UEFA Champions League, specifically for one match per day. If an agreement is reached, we would be talking about Netflix's first important step in live sports.

And although chains have traditionally led this sector, this trend is not new:

Prime Video offers one Champions League match a week in some European markets, while TNT Sports in linear transmission and in HBO Maxcurrently share the broadcast rights of the Champions League and Premier League in Mexico with Fox; Apple owns global rights to MLS; Disneythrough ESPN y Disney+ They broadcast the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League in South America and other sporting events.

In this scenario, Netflix's participation seems more of a natural step than a surprise.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR UEFA?

The association chaired by Aleksander Čeferin, aims implement important changes starting with the 2027-28 season. UEFA wants to modify its audiovisual rights model, granting priority to international streaming platformsrather than relying heavily on national television networks.

“UEFA's new way of selling broadcast deals is expected to spark competition for games on global streaming platforms”explica The Times.

From a financial point of view it is a triumph for the organization, since it foresees that media income will increase from about $4,000 million euros, to at least $5,000 million euros annually, or even more, depending on the competition that is ignited by the bidding between streaming companies.

By the way, UEFA insists that it will maintain and increase “solidarity payments” (funds distributed to clubs in lower leagues or other competitions) as part of a more inclusive ecosystem.

WHAT IS NETFLIX'S EXPERIENCE IN LIVE SPORTS?

Although the streamer has produced and/or distributed several documentaries related to different sports practices, it was not until recently started to venture into live broadcasts.

In November 2024, Netflix broadcast the boxing match between Mike Tyson y Jake Paul –which registered more than 65 million views–, on Christmas Day of the same year, it was the turn of an NFL gamethen events of the WWEwhile last September, the fight of Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawfordwhere the Mexican fell by unanimous decision 115-113.

Additionally, the platform has acquired US broadcast rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup. This decision suggests the goal is moving beyond one-off experiments and more toward positioning itself as a regular presence in live sports.

For Netflix, add a Champions League match could strengthen your attractiveness. Live sports remains one of the few areas where audiences gather in real time. Going into that area could boost audience participation, while at the same time it could function as a strategic retention tool in a competitive streaming landscape.

UEFA continues to evaluate the proposalsso it is not yet clear if Netflix will win the bid for the broadcast rights to the most prestigious soccer tournament in the world at the club level. But one thing is certain: the lines between traditional television and streaming, between sports and entertainment, are rapidly blurring.