Telemundo Secures Exclusive Spanish-Language Rights for UEFA Club Competitions Post-2026 World Cup Milestone
<img class=” top-image” src=”https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/6a5d0608e34c093d36ee568c/Paris-Saint-Germain-v-Arsenal-FC—UEFA-Champions-League-Final-2026/0x0.jpg?crop=1741%2C1039%2Cx45%2Cy136%2Csafe&width=960” alt=”Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal FC – UEFA Champions League Final 2026″ data-height=”1215″ data-width=”1824″ fetchpriority=”high” style=”position:absolute;top:0″use”>
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)
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Hours ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, Telemundo announced a landmark agreement to acquire exclusive U.S. Spanish-language media rights for UEFA men’s club competitions, including the UEFA Champions League starting with the 2027/28 season. The deal, brokered with UC3, expands Telemundo’s portfolio to encompass the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, UEFA Super Cup, and UEFA Youth League. Financial terms remain undisclosed.
Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, underscored the Champions League’s status as “the pinnacle of club soccer,” highlighting Telemundo’s mission to deliver its prestige to Spanish-speaking audiences. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the partnership as a reflection of surging European football enthusiasm in the U.S. Hispanic community.
With Telemundo capitalizing on record World Cup engagement, the acquisition signals a strategic shift. Previously Univision (now TelevisaUnivision) held these rights since a $35 million-per-year deal in 2017, later extended to 2026/27 for $225 million. Telemundo, which displaced Univision in 2011 for World Cup rights, aims to solidify its dominance in Spanish-language sports broadcasting.
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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The deal coincides with Telemundo’s historic World Cup performance, averaging 6.0 million Total Audience Delivery (TAD) in semifinals—147% above 2022 levels. Argentina’s win over England alone drew 11.4 million TAD, setting records for Spanish-language media. Streaming platforms saw a 301% spike in average minute audience (from 718,000 to 2.9 million), while total viewing time surpassed 73 billion minutes, exceeding combined totals from 2018 and 2022 by 69%.
Telemundo’s coverage will span its network, Peacock, Universo, and the Telemundo Deportes Ahora sports channel, integrating studio analysis and digital content tailored to U.S. Hispanic fans. This follows Telemundo’s existing coverage of Premier League, Bundesliga, Liga MX, and U.S. national teams.
Additional broadcast plans for the 2027/28 season will be unveiled later.
