The upcoming Champions League final will no longer be shown free on British television, marking the first time in 34 years that the continent’s showpiece match will be behind a paywall.
Uefa has voiced its disappointment, noting that previous finals have traditionally been broadcast without charge, and warns that the shift could set a precedent for future editions.
TNT Sports, which also holds the rights to the Europa League and Conference League finals, has decided to restrict those matches to subscribers only, prompting criticism from fans and analysts alike.
The company acquired the Conference League rights five years ago, expanding its portfolio beyond the Premier League’s domestic coverage, and before that BT Sport carried the Champions League before the current arrangement.
From the 2027‑28 season onward, the broadcast rights for the competition are slated to be transferred to Paramount and Sky Sports, a move that could further reshape the viewing landscape.
The transition coincides with the launch of HBO Max in the UK earlier this year, after which discovery+ was removed from the platform, illustrating the broader consolidation of streaming services.