The UK government has maintained its stance against classifying the Champions League final as a “crown jewels” event, rejecting a 2019 proposal from a House of Lords committee that aimed to guarantee free-to-air coverage. Historically, the match was broadcast live on ITV from 1993 to 2014, with the BBC airing the 1994 edition. BT Sport subsequently acquired exclusive rights in 2015, initially offering the final without a subscription via its YouTube channel until 2023.
Following BT Sport’s acquisition by Warner Bros. Discovery and rebranding as TNT Sports, access shifted to the discovery+ platform in 2023, requiring registration for free viewing. However, with the replacement of discovery+ by HBO Max, fans now face a £4.99 monthly subscription fee for non-contract access, though existing Sky customers may already receive the service. Highlights will continue to be available on BBC platforms post-match, including a 15-minute delay on the website and later television coverage, alongside live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.
From the 2027-28 season, TNT Sports will lose European football rights, with Paramount+ securing Champions League coverage and Sky Sports acquiring the Europa League and Conference League rights. Warner Bros. Discovery has been contacted for further comment.