Disney+ has acquired the exclusive broadcasting rights for UEFA's men's club competitions in Belgium for the 2027 to 2031 cycle, according to a report from Belgian media outlet DH. The deal covers the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League, marking a significant shift in the Belgian sports media landscape. The rights were previously held by RTL, which had broadcast the Champions League since 2000, and telecommunications operator Proximus, which held a package since 2012.
The subscription-based platform will be required to make matches involving Belgian clubs available on free-to-air television, due to rules classifying those fixtures as events of major national importance. Disney+ will need to secure a partnership with a free-to-air channel to comply with this obligation, ensuring key domestic club matches remain accessible to the wider public without a paywall.
This move continues Disney+'s expansion into European football broadcasting rights, following its existing deal to show the UEFA Women's Champions League in France. The acquisition disrupts a long-standing market arrangement in Belgium and represents a major strategic push by the streaming service into a core European football territory. The report confirms that in France, the rights for the upcoming cycle remain with Canal+, highlighting the fragmented nature of broadcast deals across different European nations.
The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but securing a four-year exclusive package for UEFA's premier club tournaments represents a substantial investment. For Disney+, the deal is a bid to attract and retain subscribers in a competitive streaming market by adding premium live sports content. For UEFA, it underscores the continued value and appeal of its club competitions in the broadcast marketplace, even as distribution models evolve from traditional linear television to digital streaming platforms.
The shift to a global streaming giant like Disney+ reflects broader trends in sports media, where digital platforms are increasingly competing for and winning major rights packages. The deal will be closely watched by other broadcasters and streaming services across Europe as rights for various leagues and competitions come up for renewal in the coming years.
