Netflix Eyes Champions League: Streaming Giant Prepares Major Bid

Netflix may be making a bold move into live sports. Reports suggest the streaming service is preparing a bid for UEFA Champions League rights, potentially covering one match per round starting in 2027.

If Netflix secures the rights, it could change how millions of fans watch Europe’s top soccer tournament. UEFA is rethinking its media strategy for the 2027–28 season, moving away from relying mainly on national television deals. Instead, the organization wants to focus on global streaming platforms that can reach more viewers and bring in higher revenue.

Currently, UEFA earns around €4.4 billion a year from media rights. The group hopes to increase that number to €5 billion or more. Analysts say that if big tech companies like Netflix join the bidding, the total revenue could rise significantly.

This isn’t the first time streaming platforms have gotten involved in soccer. Amazon Prime Video already shows a weekly Champions League match in parts of Europe. Apple has the global rights for Major League Soccer, while Disney continues to expand through ESPN and Disney+. Netflix entering the competition seems like the next logical step.

Netflix has built its sports reputation with documentaries like Drive to Survive and Break Point, focusing on the stories behind the athletes rather than live events. However, the company has begun testing live sports. Its Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight drew more than 65 million streams, and it successfully aired an NFL game on Christmas Day without technical issues.

The streaming service has also secured U.S. rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031. Adding Champions League matches would fit perfectly into this growing sports portfolio, offering one of the few live, appointment-viewing experiences still available in entertainment.

It’s still unclear whether Netflix will win the bid. But the gap between traditional TV and streaming continues to narrow, and live sports could be the final factor that brings streaming fully on par with broadcast networks.

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