Netflix eyes Champions League broadcasting rights

Netflix is reportedly planning to take part in UEFA’s upcoming bidding process for the broadcasting rights to the Champions League. According to UEFA’s projections, the new rights cycle could generate around £4.4 billion per year – making it one of the most lucrative tenders in the history of European football.

Following the recent reform of the tournament, UEFA is also exploring new models to maximize TV revenues, with a particular focus on streaming platforms.

For the first time, the world’s most popular streaming service, Netflix, is said to be considering entering the race to secure rights for some matches. The British newspaper The Times reported that the American giant is preparing an offer for a market that, according to UEFA, could reach up to €5 billion in total value.

For Netflix, this would mark its boldest move yet in live sports broadcasting on a global scale. The company has been expanding its sports-related content, but it has never before competed for top-tier live rights of this magnitude.

The potential arrival of Netflix could shift the balance of power: UEFA would gain another major bidder, while viewers could see new bundled subscription models and innovative production features – from multi-camera feeds and personalized audio tracks to integrated real-time statistics.

At the moment, Amazon Prime is the only streaming broadcaster of the Champions League, showing one match per round in the UK, Germany, and Italy. Alongside Netflix, both Apple – which holds global rights to Major League Soccer – and Disney are reportedly exploring bids for live sports events.

For football clubs, this growing segmentation of broadcasting rights could bring higher media revenues. For fans, however, it might also mean further fragmentation of viewing options across platforms – and a rise in the total cost of subscriptions.