Champions League 2026: Where to Watch the Knockout Stages in the UK

Champions League Knockout Stages: UK Viewing Guide

The Champions League knockout phase is underway, and for UK viewers the coverage is split between two broadcasters: TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video. Here is everything you need to know about watching every round from the play-offs through to the final in Budapest on 30 May. You can also check our football fixtures page for today's live match listings and TV channels.

UK Broadcasters

Champions League rights in the UK are held jointly by TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video. Both services require a subscription, but the split between them follows a predictable pattern.

Broadcaster	Coverage	How to Access
TNT Sports	Majority of knockout matches, Wednesday fixtures, and selected Tuesday games	TNT Sports subscription (available through BT, EE, Sky, or direct via discovery+)
Amazon Prime Video	Selected Tuesday fixtures each matchweek	Amazon Prime membership (£8.99/month or £95/year)

For each round of knockout matches, Amazon Prime typically selects one headline Tuesday fixture per leg, while TNT Sports covers the remaining televised matches across Tuesday and Wednesday.

Knockout Stage Schedule

Knockout Phase Play-offs (February)

Round	Dates	Format
Play-off first legs	11/12 February 2026	Two-legged ties
Play-off second legs	18/19 February 2026	Aggregate score decides

The play-off round is a new addition to the Champions League format introduced in 2024/25. Teams finishing 9th to 24th in the league phase enter the play-offs, with higher-ranked teams given home advantage in the second leg. The eight winners join the top eight from the league phase in the round of 16.

Round of 16 (March)

Round	Dates
First legs	4/5 March 2026
Second legs	11/12 March 2026

Quarter-finals (April)

Round	Dates
First legs	7/8 April 2026
Second legs	14/15 April 2026

Semi-finals (April/May)

Round	Dates
First legs	28/29 April 2026
Second legs	5/6 May 2026

Final

Event	Date	Venue
Champions League Final	Saturday 30 May 2026	Puskas Arena, Budapest

The final is traditionally shown on TNT Sports. Previous finals have also been simulcast on free-to-air television (Channel 5 showed the 2024 final), though this varies year to year and is usually confirmed closer to the date.

The New Format Explained

The 2025/26 Champions League uses the expanded format introduced the previous season. Instead of the traditional group stage with 32 teams in eight groups of four, the competition now features a 36-team league phase where every club plays eight matches against different opponents.

After the league phase:

• Teams finishing 1st to 8th go straight to the round of 16
• Teams finishing 9th to 24th enter the knockout phase play-offs
• Teams finishing 25th to 36th are eliminated (no drop to Europa League)

From the round of 16 onwards, the format is familiar: two-legged knockout ties decided on aggregate, with away goals no longer counting as a tiebreaker. If the aggregate score is level after both legs, the match goes to extra time and penalties.

How Much Does It Cost to Watch?

Unlike the Six Nations, the Champions League is not free-to-air. Here is what you will need to pay:

Service	Monthly Cost	What You Get
TNT Sports (via discovery+)	£30.99/month	All TNT Sports channels, Champions League, Europa League, Premier League (selected), UFC, MotoGP
TNT Sports (via Sky)	£30.99/month add-on	Same as above, added to existing Sky package
TNT Sports (via EE)	Included with selected plans	TNT Sports app access for EE mobile customers
Amazon Prime Video	£8.99/month	Selected Tuesday Champions League matches, plus all other Prime Video content

To watch every televised Champions League knockout match, you need both TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video. If budget is a concern, Amazon Prime covers fewer matches but at a significantly lower price point.

Watching From Outside the UK

Champions League broadcasting varies by country:

Region	Broadcaster
United States	Paramount+ / CBS Sports
Ireland	Virgin Media / RTE (selected matches free-to-air)
Germany	DAZN / Amazon Prime Video
Spain	Movistar+
Italy	Amazon Prime Video / Sky Italia
France	Canal+
Australia	Stan Sport

Kick-off Times

Champions League knockout matches follow a consistent schedule:

• Tuesday and Wednesday matches: 8:00pm UK time
• The final: 8:00pm UK time (Saturday 30 May)

Unlike the league phase, which had some 5:45pm kick-offs, all knockout matches are at the prime 8:00pm slot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both TNT Sports and Amazon Prime to watch the Champions League?

To watch every televised match, yes. TNT Sports carries the majority of fixtures, while Amazon Prime picks up one Tuesday match per matchweek. If you had to choose one, TNT Sports gives you more matches, but Amazon Prime is significantly cheaper and still covers key fixtures.

Will the Champions League final be on free-to-air TV?

It varies each year. The 2024 final was shown on Channel 5, but this is not guaranteed annually. TNT Sports holds the primary rights to the final. Free-to-air arrangements are typically confirmed a few weeks before the match. If previous years are a guide, there is a reasonable chance it will be simulcast, but do not rely on it until confirmed.

What happened to BT Sport?

BT Sport rebranded to TNT Sports in 2023 as part of a joint venture between BT and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Champions League rights transferred to the new brand, and the service is now available through discovery+ as well as through traditional BT, EE, and Sky packages. If you had a BT Sport subscription, it was automatically migrated to TNT Sports.

Can I watch Champions League highlights for free?

Yes. BT Sport's YouTube channel (now TNT Sports) typically uploads match highlights within hours of the final whistle. UEFA's own website and app also provide free highlight clips. Additionally, ITV occasionally shows Champions League highlights on free-to-air television during the later knockout rounds.

What is the new Champions League format?

From 2024/25, the Champions League expanded from 32 to 36 teams. Instead of a group stage, all 36 teams play in a single league phase with eight matches each against different opponents. The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, teams 9th to 24th play in a new knockout play-off round, and teams 25th to 36th are eliminated. The knockout rounds from the round of 16 onwards follow the traditional two-legged tie format.