The race is on. Who will broadcast the Champions League for the period 2027-2031? For now, Canal+, which pays 480 million euros each year for the rights, is likely to no longer be the sole broadcaster of the UEFA European Cups in France. An investment which no longer seems sufficient in the eyes of the European body.
Indeed, UEFA recently opened its market to digital giants: Netflix, Apple TV and Amazon are now in the race and constitute serious competitors for the encrypted channel. Asked by The Teamthe marketing director of UEFA, Guy-Laurent Epstein, has also displayed his ambitions:
“Today, across the three competitions, we generate 4.4 billion euros in revenue per season (including 3.6 for the C1). We want to go well beyond 5 billion. »
The body could even offer a special prize with a global dimension, linking the five biggest markets in European football: France, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and Italy. If the global offers exceed the national proposals, UEFA could be tempted to favor this new approach.
The Saudis go on the attack with DAZN
But Canal+'s plans become more complicated with the entry of DAZN, as revealed The Guardian. The British media indicates that the Saudi company Surj Sports Investmententry to the tune of 10% in the capital of DAZN for around 1 billion dollars (862 M€) in February 2025, pushes the platform to offer itself the flagship prize of the Champions League: the most beautiful Tuesday evening poster, broadcast all over the world.
Building on its good results during the Club World Cup last summer, DAZN wants to capitalize on its momentum and strike hard. The call for tenders for the 2027-2031 cycle, with its tailor-made international lot, could well correspond perfectly to its ambitions.
