Virgin Media, the commercial free-to-air broadcaster in Ireland, has extended its rights deal with UEFA, the European soccer governing body, to show the UEFA Champions League (UCL), the continent’s elite club competition, for another three seasons.
Virgin Media to air 166 UCL games per season
The new agreement, which covers the 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 seasons, will see Virgin Media broadcast 166 UCL games per season, including all matches involving Irish teams, the best games from each match day, and the final. Virgin Media will also have exclusive rights to the UEFA Super Cup, the annual match between the winners of the UCL and the UEFA Europa League, the second-tier club competition.
Virgin Media has been airing the UCL since 2018, sharing the rights with pay-TV operator TNT Sports and public-service broadcaster RTE. The current deal runs until the end of the 2023-24 season, which will be the last one under the current format of the competition.
UCL to undergo major changes from 2024
From the 2024-25 season, the UCL will adopt a new single-league structure, instead of being split into multiple groups from which teams qualify for the knockout stage. The competition will expand from 32 to 36 teams and will incorporate 189 matches instead of the current 125.
The new format is expected to generate more revenue and excitement for UEFA and its broadcast partners, as well as more opportunities and challenges for the participating clubs. The UCL is widely regarded as the most prestigious and lucrative club competition in the world, attracting millions of viewers and fans across the globe.
Virgin Media delighted to continue UCL partnership
Virgin Media, which is owned by Liberty Global, the international media and telecoms giant, expressed its delight at securing the exclusive UCL rights in Ireland for another three years. Paul Farrell, the vice-president of Virgin Media, said: “We’re thrilled to announce this major new deal with UEFA which reaffirms our position as Ireland’s leading connected entertainment provider and the home of the UEFA Champions League.”
Farrell added: “This is fantastic news for Irish football fans as we continue to bring the best of European football to free-to-air television. We look forward to showcasing the best teams, the best players and the best matches from what is undoubtedly the best club competition in the world.”
Guy-Laurent Epstein, the marketing director of UEFA, also welcomed the extended partnership with Virgin Media, saying: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Virgin Media in the Republic of Ireland. Virgin Media has proved to be a great broadcast partner for UEFA and we are excited to see how they will continue to showcase the UEFA Champions League for the 2024-27 cycle, especially given the new and exciting format changes that will come into effect from 2024.”
Virgin Media to offer comprehensive UCL coverage
Virgin Media said it will offer comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the UCL across its platforms, including its TV channels, Virgin Media Player, Virgin Media News, and Virgin Media Sport. The broadcaster will also produce original and exclusive content, such as interviews, analysis, documentaries, and podcasts, to complement its live broadcasts.
Virgin Media will also continue to air Extreme E, the all-electric motor racing series, after renewing its rights deal for two more years. The broadcaster has been showing live races and highlight shows since the series’ inaugural 2021 season on VMTV.
