Disney+ has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League in Belgium for the 2027-2031 cycle, according to reports from Belgian media outlet DH. The deal represents a significant shift in the Belgian media landscape, ending long-standing arrangements held by RTL and Proximus, who have held the rights since 2000 and 2012 respectively.
The acquisition marks a major expansion for the American streaming service into live European football in the region. Disney+ already holds the rights to the UEFA Women's Champions League in France, demonstrating a strategic push into premium sports content across Europe. The platform will broadcast every match from all three men's European club competitions for the four-year period starting in 2027.
However, the agreement comes with a significant regulatory condition. Under Belgian law, matches involving Belgian clubs are considered events of major national importance. This mandates that these fixtures must be broadcast on a free-to-air channel accessible to the public. Disney+, a subscription-based service, will therefore be required to sub-license these specific matches to a terrestrial broadcaster to comply with the legislation.
The move disrupts a market that had seen relative stability for over two decades. RTL's long tenure as a primary broadcaster of top European football in Belgium is now set to conclude, while telecoms giant Proximus will also lose its package of rights. The deal underscores the growing financial power and ambition of global streaming platforms in the sports rights arena, following similar moves by competitors like Amazon Prime Video in other territories.
For Belgian football fans, the shift promises a new digital-first viewing experience but also raises questions about accessibility and cost. The mandatory free-to-air provision for domestic club matches will ensure key games remain widely available, but the breadth of coverage for other matches will now be tied to a Disney+ subscription. The agreement stands in contrast to the French market, where Canal+ recently retained the rights for the upcoming cycle of all three European competitions.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but it is expected to represent a substantial increase in the value of the rights for UEFA. As streaming services continue to compete aggressively for live sports content to drive subscriber growth, traditional broadcasters face increasing pressure in key European markets. The Belgian agreement signals a potential blueprint for further incursions by major streaming platforms into football's broadcasting strongholds.
