Netflix Reportedly Preparing $5.9 Billion Bid for UEFA Champions League Broadcast Rights
UEFA’s New Global Rights Model
UEFA is preparing to overhaul how it sells media rights for its club competitions starting with the 2027–2033 cycle. Under a new joint venture known as UC3, created between UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA), the sale of broadcast and streaming rights will be managed directly rather than through traditional agencies. This marks the end of UEFA’s long-running partnership with Switzerland-based TEAM Marketing, as US firm Relevent Sports takes charge of global commercial rights.
The updated rights structure will introduce a “global first-pick” package, a new system allowing one broadcaster or streaming platform to select a single marquee match from each UEFA Champions League (UCL) round for worldwide broadcast. The selected game would typically feature top-tier teams such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, or Bayern Munich, giving the chosen broadcaster exclusive access to the most anticipated fixtures.
This global tender model aims to simplify rights sales across regions and boost UEFA’s commercial reach. The football body has set an ambitious revenue goal of over €5 billion annually from its three main competitions, the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, during the new cycle.
Netflix’s Reported $5.9 Billion Bid
According to multiple reports, Netflix is preparing a $5.9 billion bid for the global broadcast rights to the UEFA Champions League under this new UC3 structure. If confirmed, the deal would cover six seasons from 2027 to 2033, giving Netflix streaming access to one “first-pick” match per round on a worldwide basis.
This would mark Netflix’s first major move into live sports, following years of experimenting with sports documentaries like Formula 1: Drive to Survive and Quarterback. By securing Champions League rights, the platform would directly compete with established sports broadcasters and digital players such as Amazon, Disney, and DAZN, all of whom are expected to participate in the bidding process.
The $5.9 billion valuation, while not officially confirmed by either UEFA or Netflix, represents one of the largest single-platform sports broadcasting bids to date. The official tender process is expected to begin later this month, as UEFA and Relevent Sports move forward with their plan to consolidate European football broadcasting under a more global, digital-first model.
If the deal goes through, Netflix would become the first streaming service to secure global Champions League rights, signaling a major turning point for both the sports and streaming industries.
