How to Watch UEFA Champions League in the USA 2026⁄27
This guide covers every way to watch UEFA Champions League (UCL) in the United States during the 2026⁄27 season — which broadcaster holds rights, what it costs, when matches kick off in US time zones, and what devices you can use.
Where to Watch UEFA Champions League in the USA
English-Language Coverage: CBS Sports & Paramount+
CBS Sports holds the English-language broadcast rights to the UEFA Champions League in the USA through the 2029⁄30 season. That deal makes Paramount+ the primary streaming home for all UCL matches in English. Every match across the league phase, knockout rounds, and final is available to stream on Paramount+.
For linear television viewers, select matches — including the UCL Final — air free over-the-air on the CBS broadcast network. Additional matches are distributed on CBS Sports Network, available on cable and satellite packages. This means cord-cutters using an antenna can catch the biggest UCL match of the season on CBS at no cost beyond the antenna itself.
Spanish-Language Coverage: TelevisaUnivision & DAZN
Spanish-language rights are held by TelevisaUnivision. Matches air across its linear channels — Univision, UniMás, and TUDN — depending on the fixture and round. For streaming in Spanish specifically, TelevisaUnivision has sublicensed UCL rights to DAZN (Spanish) for the 2026⁄27 season. Spanish-speaking viewers can therefore choose between traditional pay-TV (via Univision/UniMás/TUDN on their cable or satellite package) or a DAZN subscription for on-demand and live streaming in Spanish.
Pricing in the USA
All prices below reflect January 2026 rates. Always check the provider directly for the most current pricing before subscribing.
Paramount+
– Essential plan: \(8.99/month — includes full UEFA Champions League live streaming access; does include ads during general content
– **Premium plan**: \)13.99/month — ad-free experience plus access to your local CBS affiliate’s live feed, which is useful for the UCL Final when it airs on CBS
Paramount+ typically offers a free trial for new subscribers — check the site for current trial length and eligibility.
DAZN (Spanish-language streaming)
DaZN pricing for Spanish UCL access may differ from its general sports tier. Check DAZN’s website for the current US subscription rate applicable to the 2026⁄27 UCL package.
Cable/Satellite (CBS Sports Network, TUDN, Univision, UniMás)
Access to these channels depends on your existing pay-TV package. There is no standalone CBS Sports Network streaming subscription; it is bundled within cable, satellite, or virtual MVPD packages such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or FuboTV. Check your provider for channel availability and cost.
Free and Low-Cost Options in the USA
There is a meaningful free-to-air option for UCL viewers in the USA: the CBS broadcast network. The UEFA Champions League Final and select high-profile matches air on CBS over-the-air, receivable with a standard digital antenna at no monthly cost. This is the most accessible free viewing option, particularly for the season’s marquee match.
Beyond the Final, Paramount+ Essential at $8.99/month is the lowest-cost route to the full match slate in English. New subscribers should check whether a free trial is available, which would cover the first week or two of UCL viewing at no charge.
For Spanish-language viewers, Univision and UniMás are available over-the-air in many US markets with an antenna, providing free access to matches that air on those linear channels.
Virtual MVPD bundles (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV) that include CBS Sports Network and TUDN can serve viewers who want live TV alongside Paramount+ at a bundled rate — check each provider for current bundle pricing.
Kickoff Times in the USA
UCL matches are typically scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in Europe. The table below shows how standard European kickoff times convert to US time zones:
| Kickoff (home) | New York | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Tue/Wed 18:45 CET | 12:45 PM EST | 9:45 AM PST |
| Tue/Wed 21:00 CET | 3:00 PM EST | 12:00 PM PST |
Times shift by one hour for fixtures in Aug–early Oct and late Mar–May (British Summer Time).
The 18:45 CET early kickoff is the most challenging for US viewers on the West Coast — a 9:45 AM PST start means matches are underway during typical work or school hours. The 21:00 CET slot is more manageable at 3:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM PST, landing during afternoon hours. Neither slot requires a late-night viewing session, which is a practical advantage compared to other major European competitions that occasionally schedule weekend evening fixtures. Viewers comfortable with lunchtime or early-afternoon streaming will find the UCL schedule workable throughout the season.
Blackout and Availability Rules in the USA
Paramount+ streams all UCL matches nationwide in the USA without the regional blackout restrictions that affect some domestic sports leagues. There are no market-by-market blackouts for UCL on Paramount+ as a general rule.
However, geo-restrictions do apply at the national level: Paramount+ and DAZN’s UCL content is licensed for US territory only. If you travel outside the USA, access may be blocked or limited depending on the destination country’s rights agreements. Using a VPN to circumvent geo-blocks likely violates the terms of service of both Paramount+ and DAZN — review each platform’s terms before attempting to do so.
For over-the-air CBS and Univision/UniMás coverage, signal reception depends on your location relative to a local broadcast tower. Urban and suburban viewers with a quality antenna will typically receive these channels without issue; rural areas may require a stronger antenna or an alternative streaming option.
TUDN is a pay-TV channel and subject to your cable or virtual MVPD package’s channel lineup. Verify TUDN availability with your specific provider, as carriage can vary.
Supported Devices and Apps in the USA
Paramount+ is available on a wide range of devices commonly used in the USA:
– Streaming sticks and boxes: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast
– Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, Vizio, and other major brands with the Paramount+ app
– Gaming consoles: PlayStation and Xbox
– Mobile: iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android smartphones and tablets
– Web browser: Paramount+ website on any desktop or laptop
DAZN (Spanish-language streaming) supports a similar range of devices including smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, and web browser. Check DAZN’s US app store listing for the current supported device list.
CBS broadcast network is accessible via over-the-air antenna on any television with a digital tuner, or through the Paramount+ Premium plan’s local CBS live feed where your market’s CBS affiliate is supported.
Virtual MVPDs carrying CBS Sports Network, TUDN, Univision, and UniMás (such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and DirecTV Stream) are accessible through their respective apps on most smart TVs, mobile devices, streaming sticks, and gaming consoles.
FAQ
- Is UEFA Champions League free to watch in the USA?
- The UCL Final and select matches air free over-the-air on CBS, which you can receive with a standard digital antenna at no cost. Univision and UniMás also carry select Spanish-language matches over-the-air in many US markets. For the full match slate in English, a Paramount+ subscription is required, starting at $8.99/month. New subscribers should check whether a free trial is currently available.
- What channel is UEFA Champions League on in the USA?
- In English, UCL matches stream on Paramount+ and select matches — including the Final — air on the CBS broadcast network and CBS Sports Network on cable. In Spanish, matches air on Univision, UniMás, and TUDN on linear TV, with Spanish-language streaming available on DAZN for the 2026/27 season.
- What time does UEFA Champions League kick off in the USA?
- Standard UCL kickoffs in Central European Time convert as follows for US viewers: the 18:45 CET slot is 12:45 PM ET / 9:45 AM PT, and the 21:00 CET slot is 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT. Times shift by one hour during periods when European clocks are on summer time (roughly August through early October and late March through May).
- Can I stream UEFA Champions League without cable in the USA?
- Yes. Paramount+ is a standalone streaming service that does not require a cable subscription and carries all UCL matches in English. For Spanish-language streaming without cable, DAZN offers UCL coverage in Spanish for the 2026/27 season. The CBS broadcast network is also receivable with a digital antenna for free, covering the Final and select matches.
- Does Paramount+ Essential include UEFA Champions League in the USA?
- Yes. The Paramount+ Essential plan, priced at $8.99/month as of January 2026, includes full access to UEFA Champions League live streams in the USA. The Premium plan at $13.99/month adds an ad-free experience and a live feed of your local CBS affiliate, which is useful when UCL matches or the Final air on CBS. Always verify current pricing at Paramount+'s website.