Honestly, trying to figure out what channel is Real Madrid on used to be a lot simpler. You'd just flip to the same sports network every weekend and call it a day. But in 2026, the broadcasting landscape has fractured into a million little pieces. If you're sitting there with your jersey on and the remote in your hand, wondering why your usual app isn't showing the game, you aren't alone. Between the new Champions League "League Phase" format and a bunch of recent rights shake-ups in the US and UK, catching every Jude Bellingham masterclass or Kylian Mbappé sprint requires a bit of a roadmap.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you're looking for a Real Madrid game right this second, here is the deal: Real Madrid played yesterday. They faced Levante at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, January 17th.
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The next time you'll need to know what channel is Real Madrid on is Tuesday, January 20th. That’s a massive Champions League clash against Monaco.
The US Market: ESPN Select vs. Paramount Plus
For fans in the United States, things changed big time a few weeks ago. ESPN finally pulled the trigger on their "direct-to-consumer" project. They’ve rebranded. What we used to call ESPN+ is now effectively ESPN Select.
If you want to watch Real Madrid in La Liga, ESPN Select is your primary home. Most weekend games live there. However, if the match is a big one—like the upcoming Villarreal away game on January 25th—it might get bumped up to ESPN Deportes or the main ABC/ESPN linear channels.
Breaking Down the Subscriptions
- La Liga Games: You need ESPN Select ($12/month). If you have cable, look for ESPN Deportes.
- Champions League: This is still the domain of Paramount+. Every single UCL match, including the January 20th game against Monaco, streams there.
- Copa del Rey: These rights are often sold separately or bundled last minute, but usually, they land on the ESPN family of networks.
It’s kinda frustrating, right? You essentially need two or three different logins just to follow one team.
The UK Shake-up: Disney+ Joins the Party
If you’re across the pond, the situation is even more chaotic. For years, it was all about Premier Sports (formerly La Liga TV). While Premier Sports still carries the "lion's share" of the 340+ La Liga matches, Disney+ has entered the fray for the 2025/26 season.
Disney+ now has the exclusive rights to show the "Saturday Primetime" matches in the UK. This means if Madrid is playing a late Saturday kickoff, you won't find it on your usual sports package. You'll need a Disney subscription.
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For the Champions League, it’s a split between TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video. Amazon gets the "first pick" of Tuesday night matches. Since the Real Madrid vs. Monaco game is on a Tuesday (Jan 20), keep an eye on the Amazon Prime schedule, though TNT Sports remains the primary broadcaster for most of the European slate.
What Channel is Real Madrid On Around the World?
If you're not in the US or UK, the providers vary wildly. It's a patchwork quilt of media conglomerates.
- Spain: Movistar+ and DAZN still share the rights. It's expensive, and the schedule splits literally week by week.
- Australia: Stan Sport is the king of European football now. They have the Champions League, while beIN Sports handles the domestic La Liga action.
- Canada: TSN+ is the place for La Liga. For the Champions League, you’re looking at DAZN.
- India: FanCode has been the surprise hero for La Liga streaming, while Sony Sports Network usually handles the big European nights.
Why the Schedule is So Confusing This Year
The 2025/26 season is the first full year where we are feeling the weight of the "New Champions League." Gone are the four-team groups. Now we have a massive league table. This means Real Madrid is playing more games against more diverse opponents in January—a month that used to be reserved for the Copa del Rey and domestic league grinds.
Because there are more "big" games, the TV networks are constantly fighting over who gets to broadcast what. One week they’re on a streaming app, the next they’re on a national broadcast. It makes answering what channel is Real Madrid on a moving target.
Pro-Tip: The "Wait 15 Minutes" Rule
Many fans find that if they can't find the game on their "Home" screen, it's because the broadcaster hasn't switched the "Live" toggle yet. If a match kicks off at 8:00 PM, the stream often doesn't appear until 7:55 PM. Don't panic and buy a new subscription immediately—check the "Upcoming" section of your app first.
Real Madrid Upcoming TV Schedule (January/February 2026)
To make your life easier, here is exactly where the next few games are landing based on current broadcast assignments.
January 20, 2026: Real Madrid vs. Monaco (Champions League)
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- US: Paramount+
- UK: TNT Sports / Amazon Prime Video
- Spain: Movistar+ Liga de Campeones
January 25, 2026: Villarreal vs. Real Madrid (La Liga)
- US: ESPN Select / ESPN Deportes
- UK: Premier Sports
- Spain: DAZN LaLiga
January 28, 2026: Benfica vs. Real Madrid (Champions League)
- US: Paramount+
- UK: TNT Sports
- Spain: Movistar+
February 1, 2026: Real Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano (La Liga)
- US: ESPN Select
- UK: Premier Sports
- Spain: Movistar+ LaLiga
Actionable Steps to Never Miss a Kick
The best way to stay on top of this isn't checking a guide every five minutes. It's about setting up the right tools.
- Download the Official Real Madrid App: They have a "Match Centre" that updates with local TV listings based on your GPS. It’s surprisingly accurate.
- Use a Dedicated Calendar: Sites like LiveFootballOnTV or World Soccer Talk allow you to sync the Real Madrid schedule directly to your Google or Apple Calendar. It will usually list the channel in the "Notes" section of the calendar event.
- Check the "Big Three" Apps: If you live in the US, keep ESPN, Paramount+, and Fubo in a single folder on your phone. One of those three will almost always have the game.
Finding what channel is Real Madrid on shouldn't feel like a part-time job, but with the way rights are sold these days, a little prep goes a long way. Make sure your subscriptions are active at least 24 hours before kickoff to avoid those "account locked" or "payment failed" errors right as the whistle blows.