ESPN Secures UEFA Women’s Champions League Media Rights Across Multiple Territories

Disney has announced that ESPN has signed a new five-year agreement for exclusive multimedia rights to the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL), from the 2025/26 through the 2029/30 seasons.

The deal expands ESPN’s global footprint in women’s soccer, including all 75 matches in the competition each season, the draws, highlights, magazine, and archive programming. Coverage spans Spanish-language rights in the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

This new deal follows a recent deal that Disney made to bring the UEFA Women’s Champions League to Disney+ across Europe, where it’s being used to position ESPN on Disney+ as the primary destination for fans in these key territories.

Tim Bunnell, Senior Vice President, Programming Acquisitions, ESPN, said in a statement regarding the new deal:

“The UEFA Women’s Champions League is one of the most prestigious competitions in sport, with unmatched global reach.  This agreement represents another key milestone in our ongoing effort to deliver the most compelling sporting events to fans everywhere. As we expand ESPN’s portfolio of women’s sports, we remain committed to elevating world-class women’s football for global audiences.”

Added Guy-Laurent Epstein, UC3 Co-Managing Director added:

“We are proud to extend our collaboration with ESPN, a key broadcast partner that shares our ambition to grow the UEFA Women’s Champions League globally. This agreement will bring the competition to millions of fans across key international markets, reinforcing our commitment to expanding the global reach and impact of women’s football.”

Here are some of the agreement highlights by territory:

United States (Spanish-language only):

• All 75 matches per season, in addition to the draws, match highlights, and archive content – all in Spanish on ESPN Deportes in the U.S.
• Select matches in the knockout phase will stream live, in Spanish, on the ESPN app.

 Latin America & the Caribbean (excluding Mexico):

• All 75 matches per season, in addition to the draws, match highlights, and archive content
• Matches will stream live on ESPN on Disney+, with select games also airing on ESPN’s linear networks.

Australia and New Zealand:

• All 75 matches per season, in addition to the draws, match highlights, and archive content
• Matches will stream live on ESPN on Disney+.

Sub-Saharan Africa (including South Africa):

• All 75 matches per season, in addition to the draws, match highlights, and archive content
• One match per kickoff window will air on ESPN linear channels across Africa and on ESPN linear channels on Disney+ in South Africa.

The UEFA Women’s Champions League will debut a new 18-team League Phase format in the 2025-26 season. Following the official draw on September 19, the league phase kicks off Tuesday, October 7, featuring six Matchweeks through mid-December. The Knockout Phase begins in February 2026, with the season concluding at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway, in May.

The 2025-26 season will feature top clubs from across Europe, including reigning champions Arsenal with Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley (Australia), and former titleholders FC Barcelona, led by Spanish stars and Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas. Chelsea returns with a strong U.S. presence, including standout defender Naomi Girma, attacking midfielder Catarina Macario, and legendary Australian striker Sam Kerr. In the French league, Paris Saint-Germain remains a strong contender, boasting midfielders Vitória Yaya (Brazil) and Jennifer Echegini (Nigeria). At the same time, Olympique Lyonnais features top-tier talent, including Kadidiatou Diani, Melchie Dumornay, and goalkeeper Christiane Endler (Chile). Additional clubs in the League Phase include Bayern München, Juventus, Real Madrid, Benfica, and Manchester United, all featuring high-level talent competing for a place on Europe’s biggest stage.

Will you be checking out the UEFA Women’s Champions League?  Let me know on social media!