Disney Plus secures five year deal for Womens Champions League rights across Europe

Disney+ is poised to redefine the broadcasting landscape for women’s football by acquiring exclusive rights to the UEFA Women’s Champions League across multiple European territories, including the United Kingdom. The five-year agreement, which begins next season, will enable Disney+ to showcase every single match live. This development represents a significant milestone for the visibility and growth of the European women’s game on a global scale.

The streaming platform’s strategic move into the women’s football market builds on recent trends of shifting broadcast rights for the sport. Earlier this year, Netflix secured the United States rights to the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups. Disney+’s comprehensive plan, which includes financial competitiveness and high-quality production value, is expected to elevate its position within the football broadcasting ecosystem.

This deal marks the conclusion of DAZN’s four-season tenure as the competition’s rights holder. DAZN had revolutionised coverage by offering all matches free to viewers, leading to a 71% surge in total watch time. Acknowledging its contributions, DAZN stated it had achieved transformative growth for the Women’s Champions League during its stewardship. Despite this legacy, Disney+’s entry promises to bring fresh perspectives and leverage its extensive 125 million-strong global subscriber base.

In the UK, this agreement introduces Disney+ as the sixth major broadcaster of women’s football. Currently, the BBC and Sky cover the Women’s Super League, while TNT Sports and Channel 4 focus on the Women’s FA Cup. ITV also caters to England’s women’s team’s matches alongside the BBC during major tournaments. While Disney+ will predominantly be subscription-based, reports suggest some matches will also air on free-to-access platforms, helping broaden reach.

The announcement coincides with the final match of this season’s Champions League on Saturday where Arsenal faces Barcelona in Lisbon. The Spanish giants, aiming to secure their third consecutive title, are strong favourites. Arsenal, however, have a storied history, with their triumph in 2007 being the sole instance of a British women’s team lifting the coveted trophy.

Looking ahead, the Women’s Champions League is also revamping its format. Similar to the men’s Champions League, the new structure will feature an 18-team league phase replacing the current 16-team group stage. This will culminate in a playoff round, followed by traditional knockout fixtures. English clubs Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United have secured European spots for the next campaign, with the latter beginning their qualifying journey in August.

Disney+’s acquisition has been facilitated by UC3, a recently formed joint venture between UEFA and the European Club Association, demonstrating the collaborative approach to enhancing football’s global appeal. As women’s football continues capturing international audiences, this bold investment by Disney+ signals a new era for the sport’s growth.