Updated for the 2025/2026 UCL season · 7-minute read
The UEFA Champions League — the biggest club competition in the world — is surprisingly easy to watch in the US once you know where to look. CBS Sports holds the exclusive rights, which means every match from the group stage through the final streams on Paramount+ and select games air free on CBS Sports Golazo. You do not need cable, a satellite dish, or an expensive live-TV bundle to watch every match.
This guide covers what channel the Champions League is on in the US, every streaming option available in 2026, how to watch for free or on a trial, and answers the most common question — no, it is not on ESPN+.
Quick Answer
Paramount+ at $7.99/month streams every Champions League match live in the US.
CBS Sports holds the exclusive US rights to UCL through 2030. Every match — group stage, knockout rounds, semifinals, and the final — streams live on Paramount+. Select high-profile matches also air free on CBS and CBS Sports Golazo. At $7.99/mo with no contract, Paramount+ is the only subscription a Champions League fan in the US needs.
Watch on Paramount+ — $7.99/mo →Paramount+
PrimaryEvery UCL match — all group stage and knockout games live
Streaming · $7.99/mo (Essential) or $12.99/mo (with Showtime)
CBS
Selected marquee matches, including the Champions League Final
Free broadcast TV (antenna) · Included in fuboTV, YouTube TV, Sling
CBS Sports Golazo
Free streaming channel — select group-stage and early knockout matches
Free on Paramount+ app, Pluto TV, Fire TV, and Roku
Univision / TUDN
Spanish-language broadcast of select UCL matches
Cable/streaming · Included in fuboTV and select bundles
Three options — ranked from best value to most expensive.
7-day free trial available
Paramount+ is the definitive Champions League streaming service for US fans. Every match is available live in English — group stage, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. The Essential plan ($7.99/mo) includes live UCL with limited ads. Paramount+ with Showtime ($12.99/mo) removes ads entirely and adds the full Showtime library.
Beyond UCL, the same subscription also covers Europa League, Europa Conference League, Serie A, and Scottish Premiership — making it exceptional value for European soccer fans. Streams on iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, and web. Up to 3 simultaneous streams. DVR available on selected plans.
CBS Sports Golazo is a free 24-hour soccer channel streaming on the Paramount+ app, Pluto TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku — no subscription required. It carries a selection of Champions League group-stage and early knockout matches live each week. You can watch directly in a browser at cbssports.com with no login.
The limitation: Golazo does not carry every match. Quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final are Paramount+ exclusives. For guaranteed access to every UCL match — especially the knockout stages — you need Paramount+.
7-day free trial
fuboTV includes CBS and CBS Sports Golazo in its channel lineup, giving you the broadcast UCL matches and Golazo's free-to-air games. However, fuboTV does not include Paramount+ itself — you would still need a separate Paramount+ subscription ($7.99/mo) to access every UCL match. Where fuboTV excels is if you also want Premier League, La Liga, Liga MX, and live sports in one package. For Champions League only, Paramount+ alone is significantly cheaper.
Paramount+ 7-day free trial: New subscribers get 7 days free — enough to watch a full round of Champions League knockout fixtures (typically 8 matches across two midweek nights). Sign up, watch, and cancel before day 7 and pay nothing. This is the best way to watch a UCL round without committing.
CBS Sports Golazo (always free): Select group-stage and early knockout matches air free on CBS Sports Golazo with no subscription or login. Available on Pluto TV, Paramount+ app, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and at cbssports.com.
CBS broadcast: The Champions League Final and a handful of other high-profile matches air on CBS — free over-the-air with a TV antenna, and also included in fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.
Champions League matches in the 2025/2026 season follow the new league-phase format introduced in 2024/25. The league phase runs from September through January, with each of the 36 clubs playing 8 matches. The knockout rounds begin in February with the Round of 16 play-off, followed by the Round of 16 proper, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final in late May.
All matches kick off on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings European time — typically 3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT for the main slate of games, with a 1:00pm ET kickoff for earlier fixtures on busy match days. The Champions League Final is traditionally held on a Saturday in late May, kicking off around 3:00pm ET.
View Champions League Schedule →No. ESPN+ does not carry the Champions League, Europa League, or any UEFA club competition in the US. CBS Sports (Paramount+) holds the exclusive US rights to all three UEFA club competitions through 2030.
ESPN+ covers different leagues entirely: La Liga, Bundesliga, Eredivisie, Primeira Liga, MLS, and USL Championship. If you want Champions League and La Liga or Bundesliga, you need both Paramount+ and ESPN+ — they are complementary, not competing.
See our Paramount+ vs ESPN+ comparison for a full breakdown of what each service covers.
Is the Champions League on ESPN+ in the US?
No. ESPN+ does not carry Champions League in the US. CBS Sports (Paramount+) holds the exclusive US broadcast rights to UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League through 2030. ESPN+ covers La Liga, Bundesliga, and MLS — not European club knockout competition.
Does Paramount+ have every Champions League match?
Yes. Paramount+ streams every UEFA Champions League match live in the US — group stage, knockout rounds, semifinals, and the final. The $7.99/mo Essential plan includes all matches with limited ads. Paramount+ with Showtime ($12.99/mo) adds no ads and the full Showtime library.
What time do Champions League matches kick off in the US?
Most Champions League matches kick off at 3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Some earlier kickoffs (1:00pm ET) also feature on big match days. The final typically kicks off around 3:00pm ET in late May.
Ready to Watch UCL?
Every Champions League match is one click away on Paramount+.
Prices accurate as of 2026. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rights and availability are subject to change.