ESPN Secures UEFA Women’s Champions League Media Rights With Every Game Live on Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand – ESPN has signed a long term agreement for exclusive multimedia rights to the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL), where every game of the competition will be available live on ESPN on Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand.
All 75 matches per season, in addition to draws, match highlights and archive content will air live on Disney+.
Selected live games will also feature on ESPN and ESPN2, the most widely distributed premium sports network in the region, available via Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
Local fans will be able to witness the elite women’s football competition and cheer on a number of Australian stars including Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal) and more.
The opening match day begins on Wednesday October 8 and is headlined by a blockbuster opening clash between defending UEFA Women’s Champions League winners Arsenal and former eight-time champions Lyon, kicking off at 6am AEDT.
Other Matchday One highlights include Real Madrid facing Roma, Barcelona tackling Bayern Munich and Manchester United meeting Valerenga.
The agreement underscores ESPN’s continued commitment to women’s sports, adding the UEFA Women’s Champions League to an unprecedented portfolio of women’s sports available on ESPN – The Walt Disney Company sports brand – globally. This growing lineup includes the WNBA, WNBL, FIBA International Basketball, extensive NCAA coverage including, Women’s Volleyball, Women’s College Gymnastics Championship, and more.
Through strategic rights acquisitions and programming over 45 years, ESPN has been a driving force connecting fans to women’s sports.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League will debut a new 18-team league phase format in the 2025-26 season. Following the official draw on September 19, the league phase kicks off Wednesday, October 8, featuring six matchdays through mid-December. Knockout rounds begin in February 2026, with the season concluding at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway, in May.
The 2025-26 season will feature top clubs from across Europe, including reigning champions Arsenal with Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley (Australia), and former titleholders FC Barcelona, led by Spanish stars and Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas. Chelsea returns with a strong U.S. presence, including standout defender Naomi Girma, attacking midfielder Catarina Macario, and legendary Australian striker Sam Kerr. In the French league, Paris Saint-Germain remains a strong contender, boasting midfielders Vitória Yaya (Brazil) and Jennifer Echegini (Nigeria). At the same time, Olympique Lyonnais features top-tier talent, including Kadidiatou Diani, Melchie Dumornay, and goalkeeper Christiane Endler (Chile). Additional clubs in the league phase include Bayern Munich, Juventus, Real Madrid, Benfica, and Manchester United, all featuring high-level talent competing for a place on Europe’s biggest stage.
UEFA Women’s Champions League on Disney+ – Matchday One
Wednesday October 8
3.45am AEST, Juventus vs Benfica, ESPN on Disney+
6am AEST, Paris FC vs Oud-Heverlee Leuven, ESPN on Disney+
6am AEST, Arsenal vs Lyon, ESPN on Disney+
6am AEST, Barcelona vs Bayern Munich, ESPN on Disney+
Thursday October 9
3.45am AEST, Real Madrid vs Roma, ESPN on Disney+
3.45am AEST, Twente vs Chelsea, ESPN on Disney+
6am AEST, Manchester United vs Valerenga, ESPN on Disney+
6am AEST, St Polten vs Atletico Madrid, ESPN on Disney+
6am AEST, Wolfsburg vs PSG, ESPN on Disney+
ESPN and ESPN2 is available via Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ
Media Release – ESPN
Link to ESPN HERE
TV Central ESPN content HERE
ESPN Secures UEFA Women’s Champions League Media Rights With Every Game Live on Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand
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