The UEFA Champions League 2025-26 kicked off on September 16, 2025, with the final all set for May 30, 2026, at Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Hungary.
This season brings a major change with the introduction of the ‘Swiss format’, which expands the competition to 36 teams and promises intense football & surprise upsets across 8 matchdays.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, fresh off their historic first Champions League triumph last season, will look to build on their first-ever title against giants like Man City, Bayern, Real Madrid, and Barcelona.
You can watch UEFA Champions League Final in Ireland with free and premium streaming services like RTE Player and TNT Sports (via NOW).
When & Where is The UEFA Champions League Final 2026 Happening?
How to Watch UEFA Champions League Final in Ireland for Free
RTÉ holds the free-to-air rights for the Champions League final. The broadcast includes comprehensive pre-match analysis, live coverage, and post-match presentations without a subscription.
Here’s how you can watch Champions League Final in Ireland for free on RTE Player:
Step 1: Go to the RTE Player and click on login
Step 2: Click Sign in
Step 3: Click Don’t have an RTE Account?
Step 4: Enter your credentials
Step 5: Enter your birth year and gender
Step 6: Verify your account
Step 7: Go to Live section
Step 8: Select the Champions League when the broadcast goes live and enjoy free streaming!
How to Watch UEFA Champions League in Ireland
TNT Sports also offers live coverage of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League throughout the season. You can subscribe to TNT Sports via NOW TV with the Sports Extra package, starting at €17/month.
Here’s how to watch the UEFA Champions League on Mobile through Sky Sports via Now TV app:
Step 1: Download the Now TV app from the Play Store or APK
Step 2: Open the app and click on the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select your plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Click Checkout
Step 6: Create your account by clicking Continue to checkout or sign in with your existing account
Step 7: Enter your credentials
Step 8: Choose your payment plan and enter your credentials to subscribe. Enjoy streaming!
Champions League to follow New ‘Swiss Format’ this season.
The new ‘Swiss format’ of the UEFA Champions League, starting in the 2025-26 season, brings significant changes to the traditional group-stage structure.
The new format brings more matches, early showdowns, unexpected upsets, and plenty of chances for teams to bounce back from losses.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
1. Expanded Teams: The tournament has increased from 32 to 36 teams.
2. League Phase: Instead of the traditional group stage, all 36 teams will now play in a single league phase. Each team will play 8 matches (four at home, four away) against different opponents.
3. Top 8: After the league phase, the top 8 teams automatically qualify for the Round of 16.
4. Play-offs: Teams finishing in positions 9th to 24th will enter a two-legged play-off to secure their place in the Round of 16.
5. Knockout Rounds: From there, the tournament follows the usual knockout format with two-legged ties leading to the final.
Other Soccer League to watch in Ireland.
Here’s a list of football tournaments and leagues to watch in Ireland with the help of a VPN like Surfshark:
- Watch La Liga in Ireland
- Watch AFL in Ireland
- Watch Serie A in Ireland
- Watch the English Premier League in Ireland
- Watch the FA Cup in Ireland
- Watch Bundesliga in Ireland
FAQs – Champions League
1. What is the new format of the Champions League?
Under UEFA-approved amendments, the number of teams in the Champions League group stage will increase from 32 to 36 in 2025-26. Each side will play eight games over ten-match weeks under the new format.
2. Which team has the most UEFA Champions League titles?
Real Madrid leads with a record 15 Champions League titles, making them the most successful club in the competition’s history.
3. Where Can I watch all the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 games in Ireland for free?
RTE Player, TNT Sports (Via NOW), & Prime Video are the 3 locally available services in Ireland to stream the entire league.
Conclusion
The UEFA Champions League 2025-26 kicks off on Sept. 16, 2025, with the new ‘Swiss format’, with the final set for May 30, 2026.
You can watch the UEFA Champions League in Ireland via premium services like TNT Sports and Prime Video.
You can also opt for the free method, for which you will need a VPN. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
