Champions League set for new ‘marquee’ opener with Netflix targeted for bid

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The Champions League holders will play a standalone opening fixture at home from the 2027/28 season. The change is part of a new strategy for the next broadcast cycle between 2027 and 2033, with further details confirmed by UC3 – the joint venture between UEFA and European Football Clubs – on Monday evening.

UC3 also confirmed plans to run the tender process for the rights to the UEFA men’s club competitions in the five biggest European markets – England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – at the same time, opening up the possibility of a single broadcaster buying the rights to all of them. UC3 confirmed this would include scope for four-year deals – longer than have ever previously been struck in European markets.

The deadline for the tenders in the top five markets and the global pick package will be November 18, UC3 said. Charlie Marshall, the co-managing director of UC3, said: “UC3 is all about driving a step change in European club football marketing through an ever-closer partnership between UEFA and the clubs.