On November 21, 2025, UC3—the commercial arm jointly run by UEFA and the European Football Clubs—announced a seismic shift in UK sports broadcasting: Paramount+ has won the rights to stream the majority of UEFA Champions League matches from the 2027-2028 season through 2030-2031. The deal, finalized after a fierce auction, knocks TNT Sports from its nine-year perch as the primary broadcaster. For fans, this isn’t just a channel change—it’s the end of an era. The Champions League is no longer just a TV event. It’s now a streaming one.
The End of an Era for TNT Sports
Since the 2015-2016 season, TNT Sports—a joint venture between BT Group plc and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.—has been the home of the Champions League in the UK. Formerly known as BT Sport, it built its brand around late-night football, iconic commentary, and the kind of emotional highs only knockout football delivers. But in the new economy, loyalty doesn’t always win. The company’s statement was calm, almost resigned: "Ultimately we remained committed to the approach that made financial sense for our business, and for our customers." That’s corporate speak for: we didn’t want to overpay for a product whose audience is drifting away from linear TV.They’re not out of the game. Far from it. TNT Sports still holds exclusive rights to the English Premier League—52 matches per season through 2024-2025—with renewal talks ongoing. They’ve also got rugby, boxing, MotoGP, and WWE. But losing the Champions League? That’s like losing the crown jewel. It’s the one thing that drove subscriptions, watercooler conversations, and late-night binge sessions. Now, that magic moves elsewhere.
Paramount+ Enters the Big Leagues
Paramount+, the streaming arm of U.S. media giant Paramount Global, didn’t just win a bid—they signaled a new direction for sports in Britain. This is the first time a pure-play streaming service has taken the primary Champions League rights in the UK. No cable box required. No satellite subscription. Just an app, an internet connection, and a passion for football.Industry insiders estimate Paramount+ secured rights to 150–180 of the roughly 230 annual matches. That’s nearly 80% of the action. The rest? That’s where Amazon Prime Video comes in. They kept priority over Tuesday night fixtures—a strategic move, since those are the matches most likely to draw casual viewers and younger audiences. Amazon’s reach extends to two other European markets, though those remain unnamed. The deal doesn’t just cover England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. According to The Desk’s November 25 report, it also includes the Republic of Ireland, bringing the potential audience to over 70 million viewers.
What’s striking is what’s missing: no price tags. UC3 didn’t disclose the value of the deal. Not a single number. That’s unusual. In 2021, BT Sport paid £895 million for a three-year deal. This five-year cycle? It’s almost certainly higher. But Paramount+ is betting on subscriber growth, ad revenue, and bundling with other Paramount+ content—Yellowstone, 1883, documentaries—to justify the spend. They’re not trying to outbid TNT Sports. They’re trying to outthink them.
Why This Matters Beyond Football
This isn’t just about who shows the next Real Madrid vs. Manchester City clash. It’s about the death of the traditional sports bundle. Sky Sports used to be the only place to get top-tier football. Then BT Sport came in and disrupted with aggressive pricing. Now, streaming giants like Paramount+, Amazon, and even DAZN are rewriting the rules. The audience isn’t just moving—they’re fragmenting. Older fans still watch on TV. Younger ones? They’ll stream on their phones during lunch, on tablets at the gym, on smart TVs while cooking dinner.The transition is set to begin after the 2026-2027 final in May 2027. That gives Paramount+ 18 months to build infrastructure, recruit commentators, design user interfaces, and market the service. They’ll need to. Because if they botch the launch, fans won’t just switch back—they’ll abandon the platform entirely. The Champions League is a brand. And brands demand excellence.
What’s Next? The Countdown Begins
UC3 must finalize contracts by December 31, 2025. Then comes the real work: marketing. Paramount+ will need to convince millions that this is worth paying for. Will they offer free trials? Bundle with Showtime? Integrate match highlights into their app’s AI recommendations? Will they bring back iconic voices like Clive Tyldesley or Ian Darke? No one knows. But they’ll have to move fast.TNT Sports, meanwhile, will keep broadcasting through May 2027. Expect a farewell tour: special documentaries, behind-the-scenes access, maybe even a final Champions League final broadcast with a nostalgic twist. It’ll be emotional. Because for many British fans, the Champions League on TNT Sports wasn’t just a game—it was a ritual.
Behind the Scenes: Who Was Involved?
The auction, launched in August 2025, drew interest from DAZN, Sky Sports, and Discovery+. But only Paramount+ and TNT Sports made serious offers. Neither side released their bids. No one from UEFA, Paramount Global CEO Robert Bakish, or Amazon executives spoke publicly. The story was delivered through Reuters and The Desk, with no fan reactions, no player quotes, no emotional angles. Just facts. Cold. Clean. Final.What’s clear: the future of sports broadcasting isn’t on Sky. It’s not on BT. It’s on your phone. And it’s streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Paramount+ start broadcasting Champions League matches in the UK?
Paramount+ will begin streaming Champions League matches at the start of the 2027-2028 season, with the group stage expected to kick off in September 2027. The transition follows the conclusion of TNT Sports’ current contract after the 2026-2027 final in May 2027, giving Paramount+ 18 months to prepare its platform and marketing.
Does the deal include Ireland?
Yes. While Reuters initially reported the rights covered only the UK, The Desk confirmed on November 25, 2025, that the Republic of Ireland is included. This expands the potential audience to over 70 million viewers across both nations, making it one of the most valuable broadcasting territories in Europe.
Why did TNT Sports lose the rights?
TNT Sports chose not to match Paramount+’s bid, prioritizing financial discipline over market dominance. Despite holding the rights since 2015, the company acknowledged shifting viewer habits and declining linear TV audiences. They’re betting on retaining Premier League and other sports rights to maintain subscriber loyalty without overextending.
What matches will Amazon Prime Video show?
Amazon retains first pick for Tuesday night fixtures in the UK and two other unnamed European markets—likely Germany and Spain, based on prior deals. This gives them around 30–40 matches per season, focusing on high-profile games that attract casual viewers and younger demographics, complementing Paramount+’s broader package.
Is the Champions League moving away from traditional TV entirely?
Not entirely, but the trend is undeniable. Paramount+ is going all-digital, with no linear TV broadcast planned. This contrasts with TNT Sports’ hybrid model. While some fans will still watch on TV, the industry is clearly shifting toward streaming-first strategies, especially as younger audiences abandon cable and satellite subscriptions.
What does this mean for future sports rights deals in the UK?
This deal signals that streaming services will dominate premium sports rights going forward. Expect similar shifts for the Europa League, FA Cup, and even the Premier League in the next cycle. Traditional broadcasters may need to partner with streamers or focus on niche sports to survive. The era of single-network dominance is over.
