Telemundo Lands UEFA Champions League Rights As World Cup Final Kicks Off
Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy after his team’s victory in the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Puskas Arena on May 30, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Francois Nel)
UEFA via Getty Images
Just hours before the kick-off of the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup final, with reigning champion Argentina set to face Spain, Telemundo made a major play off the field.
The network, which delivered record-breaking World Cup viewership and engagement numbers, announced it has acquired the exclusive U.S. Spanish-language media rights to all UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) men’s club competitions. That includes the UEFA Champions League for three seasons, starting with the 2027/28 season.
The deal, struck with UC3, also covers the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Youth League. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“The UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle of club soccer tournaments, bringing together many of the world’s greatest teams and players in one of the most prestigious competitions in sports,” says Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group. “We are delighted to partner with UC3 to bring the excitement, passion and drama of the UEFA men’s club competitions to Spanish-speaking fans across the United States.”
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin says the agreement reflects the growing interest of European soccer among U.S. Hispanic fans.
“UEFA club competitions represent the very highest level of club football, and their popularity continues to grow globally. This agreement with Telemundo reflects both the strength of our competitions and the passion of Spanish-speaking fans in the United States,” he states. ”We look forward to working together to deliver unforgettable moments and bringing the drama, excitement and excellence of European football to millions of viewers over the next cycle.”
And it seems the timing is just right. Telemundo is riding the highest wave in its fútbol history, with massive numbers backing it up.
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates after the 2-1 win against England. That semi final match attracted total audience of 11.4 million on Telemundo platforms. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
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World Cup Record Numbers Boost UEFA Deal
Through the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup, Telemundo and Peacock are averaging a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 6.0 million viewers, up 147% compared to the same stage in 2022.
The semifinals alone drew 10.6 million TAD across two matches, more than double the 4.5 million the same round pulled in Qatar. Argentina’s win over England on July 15 hit 11.4 million TAD, the most-watched World Cup semifinal in Spanish-language media history. Spain’s victory over France drew 9.8 million.
Streaming has been the breakout story of the tournament. Digital average minute audience (AMA) is up 301% compared to 2022 through the semifinals, rising from 718,000 to 2.9 million.
Total viewing time across Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, and Telemundo streaming platforms through July 16 has reached 73 billion minutes, surpassing the combined 43.2 billion total minutes consumed during the entire 2018 and 2022 tournaments by 69%.
The Champions League deal marks a significant shift in the Spanish-language rights landscape. Univision, now TelevisaUnivision, has held those broadcasting rights since winning a roughly $35 million-per-year package in February 2017, taking over from Fox Sports ahead of the 2018/19 season. The network extended its hold twice, first in March 2020 through 2024, then again in May 2023 in a deal reportedly worth $225 million through the 2026/27 season.
When that deal expires, Telemundo steps in. This wouldn’t be the first time. The network previously took the World Cup Spanish-language rights from Univision back in 2011, in a deal that kicked in with the 2018 tournament.
What Fans Can Expect
Telemundo says it will broadcast every Champions League match across its full platform portfolio, including the Telemundo Network, Peacock, Universo and Telemundo Deportes Ahora, its dedicated FAST sports channel. Coverage will include studio programming, expert analysis and original digital content aimed at U.S. Hispanic audiences.
Telemundo already carries Premier League, Bundesliga, Liga MX clubs and U.S. national team matches. The Champions League adds one of the most prestigious club competitions in the world to its portfolio, asserting its Spanish-language fútbol broadcast, streaming and digital dominance in the U.S.
Additional coverage plans for the 2027/28 season will be announced at a later date.
