Disney Secures UEFA Champions League Rights in Sweden From 2027, Ending Viaplay's Tenure

Swedish viewers will see a major shift in UEFA Champions League broadcasting rights starting from the 2027-2028 season, as Disney+ takes over from Viaplay. Confirmed on April 30, 2026, Viaplay will air Champions League matches until June 2027 but then relinquish rights to Disney, which will hold them through the 2030-2031 season.

Jonas Karlén, CEO of Viaplay Sweden, explained the loss of rights as a strategic realignment focused on maintaining a sustainable local business model. Meanwhile, Disney's Nordic Chief, Hans van Rijn, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, saying, "Now we can offer the best in European football. We are very pleased with this. It's a big day for us." Disney plans to leverage these rights with expanded production and content offerings.

In addition to the men's Champions League, Disney will broadcast the women's Champions League for the first time in Sweden, marking a significant enhancement in their sports programming. Karl Holmes, Disney’s general manager, expressed pride in bringing comprehensive Champions League coverage to Swedish fans.

Disney's subscription pricing currently ranges from 69 SEK per month for basic access to 159 SEK for premium plans, though the company has yet to clarify how the Champions League rights acquisition might affect pricing. Beyond Champions League, Disney holds rights for UEFA’s Europa League and Conference League through 2031 and recently launched the ESPN sports channel in Europe, primarily featuring college basketball alongside football content. While Disney does not currently hold NHL or NBA rights in Sweden, van Rijn indicated a potential future bid for these leagues.

This transition represents a notable change in how Swedish football fans will access top European football, with Disney strengthening its foothold in live sports broadcasting in the region.