Canal+ could soon return to the French championship. This depends on an imminent verdict.
This is a turning point in the Canal+ group’s investment strategy. These days the TV rights of
the Champions League from 2027, and for potentially five years. A call for tenders that UEFA hopes will be particularly juicy, targeting 5 billion euros in cumulative rights.
To do this, the parent company of European football has decided to innovate. By launching its appeal simultaneously in the five leading countries of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and England, and by reserving an “international lot” for the other nations. UEFA also expects a lot from the marketing of a “premium match” aimed at the whole world on each day and stage of the competition.
This last option was designed to attract the behemoths of the audiovisual landscape which are now Apple TV, Paramount, Amazon Prime and Disney+, in addition to DAZN and traditional players such as Canal+ and beIN Sports. Only the first round of this new call for tenders did not generate the expected enthusiasm.
Hope in failure for Ligue 1?
No reserve price could be reached. And no potential broadcaster has really stood out, RMC reported this Wednesday. The second round has already been launched by UC3, UEFA’s commercial company – with a deadline set for Thursday noon.
For Canal+, which has been paying 480 million euros per year since 2024 for all three European Cups (Champions League, Europa League and Conference League), the prospect of a total renewal seems illusory. Within the college of Ligue 1 clubs, there are already rumors that a possible failure at the continental negotiating table these days could push the group to reinvest in the French championship. From 2027, therefore.
