The Champions League returns next week, and football fans across the United States will be able to watch highlights of Europe’s showpiece competition on the BBC. For the next three years, from 22:00 on the Wednesday of Champions League matchweeks, there will be match-by-match highlights available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, plus a Match of the Day highlights show on BBC One at 22:40. As the competition kicks off, the excitement is palpable, and the stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying season.
The 2023-24 season saw England midfielder Jude Bellingham help Real Madrid win the Champions League, and this season’s competition is expected to be just as thrilling. The competition will include five British clubs – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Celtic, Liverpool, and Manchester City – all vying for the coveted title. As the season gets underway, football fans will be treated to a feast of high-quality football, with the BBC providing comprehensive coverage of the competition.
Format and Structure of the Champions League
The Champions League will expand from 32 to 36 teams from this season, with all teams contained in a single table. This means there will be more rounds of fixtures than before, with 17 in total, including eight rounds of group games – running from 17 September until 29 January – and then an extra round before the last 16. The top eight will go through to the last 16, while teams from ninth to 24th go into a new play-off round. This new format promises to add an extra layer of excitement to the competition, with more teams competing for the top prize.
The BBC will have highlights of the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup this season, providing football fans with a one-stop-shop for all their football needs. BBC Radio 5 Live will still have live commentary of selected Champions League games this season, while TNT Sport and Amazon Prime Video will show the games live in the UK. Amazon has first pick of the Tuesday games – 17 matches in total – with all the other matches shown on TNT.
Key Dates and Fixtures
The Champions League season gets underway on Tuesday, 17 September, with a host of exciting matches taking place. Young Boys will take on Aston Villa, while Juventus faces PSV Eindhoven. Real Madrid, the defending champions, will face Stuttgart, while AC Milan takes on Liverpool. Other notable fixtures include Bayern Munich against Dinamo Zagreb and Paris St-Germain against Girona.
On Wednesday, 18 September, Sparta Prague will take on RB Salzburg, while Bologna faces Shakhtar Donetsk. Manchester City will begin their Champions League campaign against Inter Milan, while Club Bruges takes on Borussia Dortmund. Celtic will face Slovan Bratislava in a crucial match that could see them book their place in the next round.
Coverage and Broadcasting
The Champions League will be broadcast in the UK on TNT Sport and Amazon Prime Video, with the BBC providing highlights and commentary on selected matches. The BBC’s coverage will include match-by-match highlights available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, plus a Match of the Day highlights show on BBC One at 22:40. Football fans will also be able to follow all the action online and on the BBC Sport app through live text coverage, as well as listen to radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.
As the Champions League season gets underway, football fans across the United States will be treated to a feast of high-quality football. With comprehensive coverage on the BBC, ESPN, and other major broadcasters, there will be no shortage of options for fans to watch the competition. The BBC’s coverage promises to be particularly extensive, with highlights and commentary on selected matches, as well as live text coverage and radio commentary.
How to Watch the Champions League in the United States
Football fans in the United States will be able to watch the Champions League on a variety of platforms, including the BBC, ESPN, and Paramount+. The BBC’s coverage will be available on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, while ESPN will show selected matches on its channels. Paramount+ will also show matches live, as well as provide on-demand coverage of the competition.
In addition to these platforms, football fans will also be able to stream the Champions League on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. The BBC’s coverage will be available on the BBC iPlayer app, which can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices. ESPN’s coverage will be available on the ESPN app, which can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices. Paramount+ will also have an app that can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices.
A New Era for the Champions League
The Champions League is entering a new era, with the competition expanding to 36 teams and a new format that promises to add an extra layer of excitement to the competition. The BBC’s comprehensive coverage will be at the heart of this new era, providing football fans with a one-stop-shop for all their Champions League needs. As the season gets underway, football fans across the United States will be treated to a feast of high-quality football, with the BBC’s coverage providing the perfect platform to watch the competition.
As the Champions League season progresses, football fans will be treated to a host of exciting matches, with some of the world’s biggest clubs competing for the top prize. The BBC’s coverage will be there every step of the way, providing highlights and commentary on selected matches, as well as live text coverage and radio commentary. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just looking to get into the sport, the Champions League promises to be an exciting and entertaining competition that you won’t want to miss.