Disney+ acquires European rights for Women’s Champions League as streamers snatch up women’s sports

The GIST: Last week, Disney+ acquired the European rights for the Women’s Champions League through a five-year deal. The news is indicative of a wider trend of streaming interest in women’s sports, which offers both pros and cons for the women’s sports space. So much to juggle.

The details: Disney+ plans to live stream all 75 matches in the tournament, which kicks off this October with an expanded “league phase” format to match the men’s version. The streamer will offer access throughout Europe while UEFA continues to work with existing free-to-air channels across the continent.

The why: This rights acquisition is interesting, considering Disney owns ESPN, which has 27 TV networks outside the U.S. and reaches over 61 countries and territories across all seven continents. However, Disney+ has amassed a global subscriber base of 125M and reaches an estimated 100+ countries partially thanks to its brand strength, partnerships, and localized focus in global markets.

The trend: While streamers have competed for WNBA, NWSL, and PWHL rights in the U.S., they’re also scooping up international tournaments. Netflix bagged the U.S. rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups, while Max aired the SheBelieves Cup in English and Peacock in Spanish. It’s a smart strategy to drive subscribers: Women’s sports fans are loyal to their favorite streamers and are more willing to pay for sports access.

• And while live sports have been giving lifeblood to linear platforms, viewers are migrating en masse to streaming and digital platforms. Last year, digital sports viewership surpassed linear viewership for the first time and is expected to jump 21% between 2024 and 2027.

The issue: The 2020s have demonstrated the powerful role media rights play in improving access and growing fandom for women’s sports. And while so much has changed, the industry is still in its growth era and needs to reach wide audiences to build fandom.

• Although streamers like Max and Disney+ do have large subscriber bases, linear TV tends to be more widely accessible and has the potential to turn casual fans who happen to catch a game into avid ones. Put it on the telly.