The French pay-TV network will own the rights to all UEFA club matches from 2024 to 2027
French broadcasting giant Canal+ has bought the exclusive rights to all UEFA club competition matches from 2024 to 2027, after paying European football's governing body some €480m in a new deal.
Canal+ currently shares UEFA rights in France with Qatari-owned network beIN Sports. Under the current model, beIN shows 138 live matches per season from the UEFA Champions League, while Canal+ only has the rights to 34 matches.
However, Canal+ does have first choice on which matches to air under the current agreement, and is also entitled to 16 matches from the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League.
When this new deal kicks in, Canal+ will own the rights to show 550 matches per season across all three of UEFA's major club tournaments.
To get this deal over the line, Canal+ paid 25% more than what UEFA is getting under the current deal, in part down to their enthusiasm for winning these rights, and also because the new "Swiss-Style" Champions League format which will be introduced in 2024 will feature many more matches than its previous iteration.
In other words, Canal+ is paying more money but getting many more games.
Not only will there be more Champions League action to air in France in general, but the tournament will also feature one more French side than usual under the new expanded format.
Then there are the huge clashes from the Europa League and Conference League to consider, including those featuring French clubs. For example, last season saw Ligue 1 side Marseille reach the semi finals of the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League, and we could see more top flight French clubs target this as a real opportunity for European silverware. Likewise, Lyon made it to the quarter finals of the UEFA Europa League.
The only UEFA club match during the period of 2024-2027 which Canal+ won't have total control over in France is the UEFA Champions League final. That is because this single match is designated a "protected event" in France, meaning it must be shown on free-to-air television live, enabling the entire population, regardless of their circumstances, the opportunity to watch one of the most important sporting events of the year.
All in all, it's a huge deal for Canal+ and one which will give the broadcaster more scope in France.
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