Talks are said to be “very close to agreement”
The biggest tournament in club football could soon be shown for free to everyone.
The Champions League, Europa League and Conference League could become available for free to fans around the world – if a radical proposal from Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez becomes a reality.
On the evening of May 12, a shocking and controversial press conference took place, where Pérez confirmed that the club’s election would now be held three years earlier than planned.
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The decision came after the Spanish big club failed to win a single trophy for the second year in a row.
With the new election, Real Madrid fans will have the opportunity to vote on whether the 79-year-old president should continue to lead the club in the future – a decision that could have a major impact on football fans around the world.
The reason is that Pérez’s plans include a radical change to the current TV model.
According to Spanish media Voz Populi, Pérez believes that football should be free to watch – “just like it happened with the Club World Cup last summer.” This has led to conversations about other major tournaments as well.
The outlet further claims that a deal that will make European football tournaments available on free-to-air TV, as part of these talks, is “very close to being finalized.”
They add that Real Madrid, as part of the negotiations led by Pérez’s chief adviser Anas Laghrari, have agreed to drop their multi-billion euro claim against UEFA – due to their handling of the Super League – provided that a new TV model is adopted.
Laghrari reportedly suggested that the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League be shown on a new free digital streaming service. The service will be financed through integrated advertising, not through subscription fees.
However, the website adds that sources in the telecommunications industry call Pérez’s claims “empty promises” and claim that he is only trying to get re-elected.
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Champions League will not be available for free in the UK for the first time
The news comes as it confirms that for the first time since the tournament’s modern rebranding 34 years ago, none of the three UEFA finals will be free to watch in the UK this year.
Instead, fans of Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Crystal Palace will need to have a TNT Sports subscription if they plan to watch their teams in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League finals.
Since TNT first bought the rights to UEFA in the 2015/16 season – then under the name BT Sport – the Champions League and Europa League have been streamed live for free on TV and YouTube.
But this year, the broadcaster has instead chosen to limit access to only customers and subscribers to the streaming platform HBO Max.
According to The Guardian, TNT Sports’ decision has created frustration in UEFA. Sources say that the move violates the spirit of the contract, which states that “best attempts” will be made to broadcast the final for free.
TNT Sports will lose the rights to all three tournaments from the 2027/28 season. Paramount is taking over the Champions League, while Sky Sports is showing the other two after it outbid its own broadcasting rival in a rights auction last year.
