Telemundo announced that it has obtained exclusive U.S. Spanish‑language broadcasting rights to UEFA’s flagship men’s competitions, beginning with the 2027‑28 season. The agreement covers the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and the Super Cup, and will be distributed across the Telemundo network, its streaming service Peacock, the Universo channel and a free ad‑supported streaming tier.
A Broad Portfolio of European Competitions
The deal grants coverage of every stage of the Champions League, from the 36‑team league phase through the 16‑team secondary phase and the knockout bracket, as well as the full Europa League and Conference League cycles. The Super Cup will also be included, ensuring a year‑round presence of elite European club soccer on U.S. Spanish‑language television.
Financial considerations are a central driver of the arrangement. The 2025‑26 Champions League prize pool reached a record $2.8 billion, with the champion receiving nearly $160 million. Teams that qualify for the competition are guaranteed more than $20 million, with additional payments tied to performance and market size, making the rights a valuable asset for broadcasters.
U.S. Soccer Viewership Surges
The 2026 World Cup served as a catalyst, delivering record‑setting television ratings for Spanish‑language broadcasts. The round‑of‑16 clash between Mexico and England became the most‑watched soccer match in U.S. Spanish‑language TV history, while Argentina’s semifinal victory over England attracted the largest audience ever recorded for a Spanish‑language World Cup semifinal in the United States. Across the semifinals, Telemundo averaged six million viewers per match, underscoring a growing appetite for the sport among U.S. audiences.
English‑language coverage of the same tournament was handled by Fox, which also set all‑time audience records. The strong performance has reinforced the commercial appeal of Spanish‑language soccer rights, prompting Telemundo to expand its portfolio to include the Premier League, the Bundesliga and other domestic leagues.
Looking Ahead to 2030
The 2030 World Cup will be staged across Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening matches scheduled in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. FIFA has not yet secured a Spanish‑language broadcast partner for that tournament, leaving the market open for negotiations that could further bolster Telemundo’s position. In the meantime, the network’s recent acquisitions of Bundesliga rights and its continued coverage of U.S. national teams position it as a dominant player in the region’s soccer media landscape.
Telemundo’s success is attributed to its authentic, passionate presentation that resonates with a diverse audience. By combining linear television, streaming platforms and a dedicated ad‑supported channel, the network aims to deliver comprehensive coverage of the world’s most prestigious club competitions while capitalizing on the surging interest in soccer across the United States.