CBS, the Paramount-owned US commercial network, has secured the English-language rights to broadcast European soccer’s top-tier UEFA Women’s Champions League matches for the next five years. This deal will commence with the 2024-25 campaign and extend through to the 2029-30 season.
Under this agreement, all 75 UWCL matches per season will be available on CBS's Paramount+ streaming service. Select games will also be aired on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network. The format of UWCL is set to change from the 2025-26 campaign, transitioning into a league phase with 18 teams followed by a playoff round which will increase the number of games available.
The deal was struck with UC3, a joint venture established by UEFA governing body and European Club Association.
Guy Laurent Epstein, managing director of UC3, said:
“As the competition embarks on an exciting new era, we look forward to CBS Sports delivering its dynamic and insightful coverage to American audiences, showcasing the highest level of women’s club football in its new format over the next five seasons.”
Expansion of CBS' portfolio
This agreement significantly expands CBS’ portfolio of soccer rights in America which now includes all UEFA competitions such as men’s Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League and Youth League along with top-tier women’s NWSL domestic competition among others.
Other soccer properties under CBS include Italy's Serie A; English Football League; United Soccer League; Lamar Hunt US Open Cup; Scottish Professional Football League among others. CBS takes over from international subscription streamer DAZN in America which held global broadcasting rights for UWCL in a four-year deal running through till 2024-25 campaign.
A tender for UCWL rights across Europe and Americas was launched on January 3rd managed by agency Two Circles appointed as exclusive media sales agency for UWCL during 2025-2030 cycle. The pan-American tender included one parcel made available to every country outside of the US with separate packages for English-language and Spanish-language rights.
Disney secures European broadcasting rights
Media giant Disney secured rights for the 2025-30 cycle across Europe last month, planning to showcase all UWCL fixtures each season on its Disney+ OTT streaming service. ESPN, a Disney-owned multi-platform sports media business will produce these games with commentary offered in multiple languages.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will also handle free-to-air distribution of the tournament through a smaller rights package agreed with UC3 which includes broadcasts of event’s showpiece final and fixtures featuring teams from EBU members in their respective territories.
BeIN Sports, an international pay-TV broadcaster has extended its exclusive deal covering rights to UWCL as well as men's UEFA European club soccer competitions for Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and several markets in Asia. This extension runs for 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons covering countries like Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt among others along with Hong Kong, Singapore etc. This new era of broadcasting deals promises to bring more visibility and accessibility to women's football globally while enhancing CBS' portfolio significantly.
