So, you’re looking for champions hoy en vivo? Honestly, I’ve got some bad news for you if you were expecting to see Kylian Mbappé or Erling Haaland tearing it up on the pitch this Thursday.
Right now, the stadiums are quiet. The Champions League doesn't usually play on Thursdays unless it’s a very specific opening week or some weird scheduling quirk. Today, January 15, 2026, the European stage is actually taking a breather before the high-stakes "League Phase" concludes later this month.
If you're staring at your TV guide wondering why there's no anthem playing, it’s because we are currently in that weird mid-January lull. Most major clubs are focused on domestic cups—like the Copa del Rey in Spain or the Coppa Italia—or just trying to survive a brutal winter schedule. But don’t go anywhere, because the real chaos is just days away.
The January 20th and 21st Explosion
If you were searching for champions hoy en vivo, you basically just missed the mark by a few days. Matchday 7 of the new league phase starts on Tuesday, January 20. This is where things get genuinely stressful for the big teams.
Unlike the old format where you might have two teams coasting, this new 36-team single table means every goal is a lifeline. On Tuesday, we’ve got some absolute monster fixtures. Inter Milan is hosting Arsenal at the San Siro. That’s a clash of styles that could decide who gets a direct ticket to the Round of 16. Real Madrid is also taking on Monaco at the Bernabéu.
📖 Related: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Wednesday, January 21, isn't any quieter. Liverpool travels to Marseille—always a hostile environment—and Barcelona faces a tricky trip to Slavia Praha. If you're looking for where to watch these, Paramount+ and CBS Sports remain the go-to spots in the U.S., while ViX has the Spanish-language coverage.
Why the New Format Changed Everything
I know, people love to complain about change. But the 2025/2026 season has been wild. We used to have "dead rubber" games where the top two teams were already decided by Matchday 5. Now? No chance.
Because teams are ranked 1 through 36, finishing 8th versus finishing 9th is the difference between an extra month of rest and a grueling two-legged playoff in February.
- Top 8: Go straight to the Round of 16 in March.
- 9th to 24th: Enter the knockout play-offs.
- 25th and below: You're out. No Europa League safety net anymore.
It’s brutal. It’s also why the search for champions hoy en vivo peaks in January. These final two matchdays in the league phase—January 20, 21, and the massive simultaneous finale on January 28—are essentially a month-long playoff.
👉 See also: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
What Most Fans Get Wrong About the Schedule
People often forget that the Champions League has a "shadow" calendar. While you're looking for the men's champions hoy en vivo, the Women’s Champions League and the Youth League often fill the gaps. However, even those aren't active today.
Today is actually dominated by the Copa del Rey. If you need a football fix right now, Barcelona is playing Racing Santander in the Round of 16. It’s not the Champions League, but it’s still top-tier Spanish drama.
Also, watch out for the injury reports coming out today. We’ve seen a lot of "heavy legs" talk from managers like Mikel Arteta and Simone Inzaghi lately. These midweek domestic games are often where Champions League dreams go to die because a star player pulls a hamstring four days before a big European night.
How to Prepare for the Big Return
When the search for champions hoy en vivo becomes relevant again next Tuesday, you’ll want to be ready. The matches are spread across different time slots now.
✨ Don't miss: Cómo entender la tabla de Copa Oro y por qué los puntos no siempre cuentan la historia completa
Early kick-offs are usually at 12:45 PM ET (like Man City at Bodø/Glimt on the 20th), while the main block of games hits at 3:00 PM ET. Honestly, if you don't have a multi-screen setup or a good "Golazo" style whip-around show, you're going to miss half the story.
The Opta supercomputer is currently projecting Arsenal and Real Madrid to finish in that coveted top eight, but a single loss next week could send them spiraling into the playoffs. It's that tight.
Next Steps for the Weekend:
- Check the standings: Look at the current UCL table to see which teams are on the bubble (usually the 20th–26th spots).
- Update your apps: Make sure your streaming subscriptions are active before Tuesday’s 12:45 PM ET kick-off.
- Monitor the injury list: Follow the domestic cup results today and tomorrow; a red card or an injury in the Copa del Rey will directly impact next week's Champions League lineups.
Keep your eyes on January 20. That is when the real champions hoy en vivo returns with a vengeance.