Honestly, trying to figure out where to watch the champions league on tv in usa has become a bit of a part-time job. You used to just flip to a sports channel and there it was. Now? You need a map, three different logins, and maybe a prayer that your Wi-Fi doesn't drop during a penalty shootout.
We are currently in the thick of the 2025-26 season, and the "League Phase" is wrapping up this January. If you’re confused about why there are matches in January now, it’s because of the new "Swiss Model" format. Basically, they added more teams and more games. For us fans in the States, that means more opportunities to watch, but also more ways to get confused about which app to open.
The Big Players: Who Owns the Rights?
CBS Sports is the undisputed heavyweight champion here. They hold the English-language rights through the 2029-30 season. This is actually great for consistency because we’ve grown used to the Kate Abdo, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards crew. Their chemistry is basically the best thing on sports television right now.
But here is the catch. "CBS Sports" doesn't mean every game is on your local CBS station. Far from it.
Most of the heavy lifting happens on Paramount+. If you want to see every single match from the playoffs to the final in Budapest on May 30, 2026, you basically have to have a subscription. They stream every live match. Occasionally, a "big" game will trickle down to the linear CBS Sports Network or the main CBS broadcast channel, but those are the exceptions.
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Spanish Language Options
For those who prefer the passion of Spanish commentary—or just don't want to pay for Paramount+—TelevisaUnivision has the rights through the 2026-27 season. You can find games on Univision, TUDN, and UniMás.
There's also a new player in the Spanish-language space: DAZN. They recently snagged a sublicensing deal to stream a bunch of matches in Spanish, including exclusive rights to 38 games and co-exclusive rights to the big ones like the quarterfinals and the final.
Breaking Down the 2026 Schedule
We are entering the most chaotic part of the calendar. Matchday 7 is set for January 20 and 21, 2026. Then, Matchday 8 hits on January 28. This is the "mega-finale" where all 18 matches kick off simultaneously.
Imagine 36 teams all fighting for their lives at the exact same time. It’s glorious. It’s also a nightmare for your bandwidth.
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- Knockout Phase Playoffs: February 17–18 and 24–25, 2026.
- Round of 16: March 10–11 and 17–18, 2026.
- Quarter-finals: April 7–8 and 14–15, 2026.
- Semi-finals: April 28–29 and May 5–6, 2026.
- The Final: Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest.
The "Golazo Show" on Paramount+ is your best friend during these windows. It’s essentially the NFL RedZone for soccer. They whip around to every goal and every red card. If you have a job or a life, this is the most efficient way to keep up with the champions league on tv in usa.
Why the "Swiss Model" Changed Everything
Before this season, we had the group stage. Eight groups of four. It was predictable. Usually, the big clubs cruised through, and the last two matchdays were often "dead rubbers" with nothing to play for.
UEFA hated that. They wanted more "big vs. big" matchups early on. Now, every team is in one giant league table. Every goal matters for goal difference because it determines who finishes in the top eight to skip the playoff round.
If you finish 9th through 24th, you’re headed to a two-legged playoff in February. If you’re 25th or lower? You’re out. No dropping down to the Europa League anymore. The stakes are legitimately higher, which makes the TV viewing experience way more intense.
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Real-World Viewing Tips
If you're watching on a budget, keep an eye on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. It’s a free 24/7 soccer streaming channel. While they don't usually show the live Champions League matches for free, they do have incredible pre-game and post-game coverage. Sometimes they’ll even air match replays later in the day.
For the high-stakes games in March and April, check your local CBS listings. The network often puts the biggest Tuesday or Wednesday game on free-to-air TV, especially as we get closer to the final.
Actionable Steps for Soccer Fans
Don't wait until five minutes before kickoff to realize your app needs an update or your password expired.
- Audit your subscriptions: If you only care about the Champions League, you can usually get away with a month-to-month Paramount+ sub starting in February for the knockout rounds.
- Check the Spanish outlets: If you have a cable package with Univision or TUDN, you might already have access to many games without paying for an extra streamer.
- Use the Multiview feature: If you’re an Xfinity customer or using certain smart TV apps, look for "Multiview" during the January 28 finale. Watching four games at once is the only way to survive the Matchday 8 chaos.
- Sync your calendar: The 3:00 PM ET kickoff time is standard for the main slate, but remember those early 12:45 PM ET games. They often feature the "spicier" matchups in Eastern Europe or Turkey that can ruin your parlay before you've even had lunch.
The road to Budapest is looking crowded. Real Madrid is always there, Manchester City looks inevitable, but with this new format, a dark horse like Aston Villa or Leverkusen could realistically make a deep run. Just make sure you know which button to press on your remote when the anthem starts playing.