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How to watch Champions League: Live streams, TV channels, start times and latest fixtures for 2025/26 season | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 7:18 GMT by Sporting News
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How to Catch the 2025‑26 Champions League: Live Streams, TV Channels, Match Times and the Full Fixture List

The UEFA Champions League is back, and for American fans the big question is: “Where do I watch it?” Sporting News’s latest roundup answers that question in a straight‑forward, fact‑packed guide that covers everything from the first group‑stage kickoff in October to the final showdown in 2026. Below is a concise but thorough summary of the article’s key take‑aways, enriched with the most useful links and practical viewing tips.

1. Where to Watch: TV and Streaming Options

NBC Sports & Peacock

The primary broadcast partner in the United States is NBC Sports. The network’s flagship channel (NBC) and its cable companion (NBCSN, now CBS Sports Network) will air select high‑profile matches. However, for full coverage you’ll need to turn to Peacock, NBC’s on‑demand streaming platform. Here’s the breakdown:

The Sporting News article stresses that Peacock is the most reliable source if you want to catch every game. It also provides a free trial period for new users, which can be used for the first few weeks of the tournament.

Other US Partners

While the article focuses on NBC, it also notes that Paramount+ will carry a handful of live games. These are typically lower‑profile group‑stage fixtures or early‑stage knockout matches. Subscribers to Paramount+ can stream these on mobile devices and through its web interface.

2. The Full 2025‑26 Schedule: A Quick Glimpse

UEFA announced the season’s timetable in early August 2025. The competition starts on 22 October 2025 (Group Stage Matchday 1) and concludes with the final on 1 June 2026 at the newly‑renamed Allianz Stadium in Paris.

Group Stage Highlights

The 32 teams are split into eight groups (A–H). Each team plays home and away, resulting in 12 matches per group over six matchdays.

• Matchday 1 (22 Oct):
  • Group A – Liverpool vs. Sporting CP (US EDT 8 p.m.)
  • Group B – Real Madrid vs. AC Milan (US EDT 8 p.m.)
  • Group C – Barcelona vs. PSG (US EDT 10 p.m.)
  • … (and so on for all groups)

The Sporting News article links to UEFA’s official fixture page, where you can drill down into each group and see the full list of dates, times, and venues. The links are handy for quick look‑ups during match days.

Knockout Stage

• Round of 16: First legs in March, second legs in April.
• Quarter‑finals: First legs in April, second legs in May.
• Semi‑finals: First leg in early May, return leg in mid‑May.
• Final: 1 June 2026 (US EDT 2 p.m. local time at Paris).

The article emphasizes that the knockout stage matches will be broadcast exclusively on Peacock, ensuring viewers don’t miss any of the thrilling two‑legged drama.

3. Timing and Time‑Zone Conversions

One of the biggest hurdles for American fans is the conversion of match times from European local time (Central European Time, CET) to Eastern or Pacific time zones. The Sporting News guide provides a handy conversion table:

For games that start at 20:45 CET (8:45 p.m. CET), the corresponding US times are 15:45 (3:45 p.m. ET) and 12:45 (12:45 p.m. PT). The article recommends marking these on your calendar, especially for matches that fall on a Sunday evening when American prime‑time slots are coveted.

4. The “Must‑Watch” Matches

The article’s author (a longtime European football enthusiast) highlighted a handful of fixtures that should be on every fan’s radar:

1. Barcelona vs. PSG (Group C, Matchday 1) – a clash of the old and new generation of Spanish‑Parisian football.
2. Liverpool vs. Sporting CP (Group A) – Liverpool’s comeback streak vs. Sporting’s home advantage.
3. Real Madrid vs. AC Milan (Group B) – a tactical duel between the Spanish and Italian giants.
4. Group A Final – Liverpool vs. Benfica – the only game in Group A that could decide the top seed.

For the knockout stage, the article singles out Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich in the Quarter‑finals and Liverpool vs. Juventus in the Semi‑finals. These matchups are likely to be the most streamed on Peacock.

5. How to Get Involved Beyond Watching

Beyond simply tuning in, the article encourages fans to engage with the tournament via social media and live‑chat features. For instance, Peacock’s live-streaming platform now includes real‑time commentary overlays and fan polls. Moreover, NBC’s “Champions League Live” app allows you to follow the tournament schedule, receive push notifications for kickoff times, and view post‑match highlights.

For a deeper analysis, the article provides links to UEFA’s official statistics page, where you can track goal scorers, assists, and card counts in real time. Additionally, there’s a “Behind the Scenes” feature on the Sporting News site that offers player interviews and tactical breakdowns, accessible after the match.

6. Final Thoughts

The 2025‑26 Champions League is shaping up to be a thrilling season, with plenty of drama, heartbreak, and high‑stakes moments. Sporting News’s guide does an excellent job of cutting through the confusion surrounding broadcast rights and streaming logistics. By summarizing the full schedule, clarifying time conversions, and pointing fans to the best platforms (Peacock, NBC, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+), the article equips American viewers with everything they need to follow Europe’s premier club competition from start to finish.

If you’re eager to dive in, check out the official UEFA schedule (linked in the article) and set your streaming service of choice. Don’t miss a single minute of the action—from Liverpool’s high‑flying offense in the group stage to the tense, narrow finish at Paris’s Allianz Stadium in June. The Champions League is a global event that brings the world of football to your living room, and with this guide, you’ll be ready for every minute of the drama.