Canal+ Secures Exclusive Broadcast Rights for European Football 2027-2031 Cycle

French pay-TV channel Canal+ has successfully retained the comprehensive broadcasting rights for Europe's top football competitions from 2027 to 2031, including the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. The second round of bidding confirmed Canal+ as the rights holder, outmaneuvering competitors such as Paramount and beIN Sports.

Canal+'s package encompasses all Champions League matches broadcast on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the final (which will also be shown free-to-air), the Youth League, and related content like match highlights and social media clips. Though the exact contract figure remains undisclosed, it is expected to be slightly lower than the current deal valued at approximately €480 million per season.

This acquisition marks a strategic success for Canal+, as European competitions now serve as the network's primary football content focus since it no longer holds broadcast rights to domestic competitions including Ligue 1, Ligue 2, and Coupe de France. While Canal+ retains all broadcasting rights, exclusivity has nuanced terms; rights are split into lots that allow Canal+ latitude in choosing which matches to highlight for French audiences.

UEFA, currently earning €4.4 billion annually from its trio of European club tournaments—€3.6 billion of which comes from the Champions League—aims to boost revenue beyond €5 billion across this new cycle. Notably, this media rights auction was conducted simultaneously across the five largest European markets, offering fresh insights into continental sports media dynamics.

The competition for these rights was intensified by the emergence of new players, including internet platforms, underscoring the fierce battle for European football broadcasting in France. Canal+'s victory cements its pivotal role in delivering continental football spectacles to French fans during the next four years.