How to watch the 2024-2025 Champions League for free
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Kamilė Bagdonaitė
Tech writer
The UEFA Champions League football competition is back, with 32 club teams battling to be crowned the champions of Europe. The first league phase of the 2024-2025 season began on September 17th, 2024, with the final scheduled for May 31st, 2025. Since the UEFA Champions League schedule is already released, there are no excuses to miss a single game.
Unfortunately, geo-restrictions might prevent you from streaming the games live in most regions. Access typically requires a paid subscription to a streaming service or broadcaster. While some foreign platforms may offer free streams, these are often restricted by geo-blocking. This is a problem if you’re trying to watch games from a country that doesn’t provide Champions League coverage.
Luckily, there is a way around this problem. Many foreign broadcasters stream the Champions League for free, and, by using a VPN, you can bypass geo-restrictions and watch the UEFA Champions League on these broadcasters regardless of your location.
Watch the Champions League final from anywhere with a VPN
- Choose a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, click this link and get 74% OFF
- Download and install the VPN app on the device you want to stream the Champions League on
- Connect to a VPN server in a country that has broadcasting rights to the Champions League and bypass geo-blocking of foreign channels
- Stream Champions League matches online for free, wherever you are
Why do you need a VPN to watch the Champions League?
Broadcasters are required to block viewers from streaming content outside of their home region. For this reason, most Champions League games are geo-blocked and can only be viewed in the broadcaster’s location. This means you will not be able to watch the Champions League if you’re not located in the same country.
With a high-quality VPN, you can hide your location. This means you’ll be able to watch the games wherever you are. A VPN works by masking your IP address and routing your traffic through a secure server in a country of your choice. The VPN then assigns a new IP address from that country to you, so it looks like you’re watching from there.
It’s important that you choose a high-quality VPN. This is because many streaming services use anti-VPN technology, which can detect and block low-quality VPNs. Premium VPNs avoid detection by updating their servers’ IPs regularly.
When streaming sports, you’ll want a VPN that has consistent and fast connection speeds so you don’t miss any of the action because of connection issues. We tested NordVPN while streaming and found it to be most effective.
Best VPNs to watch Champions League
We've compiled a list of the best VPNs for watching the UEFA Champions League so that you don't miss out on anything. All of them are capable of unblocking various streaming services and providing you with safe connections.
- NordVPN – the best VPN for watching the UEFA Champions League
- Surfshark – budget-friendly VPN to stream sports live
- IPVanish – a feature-rich VPN for watching the UEFA Champions League
Where can I stream the Champions League games for free?
In some countries, the Champions League is broadcast on TV. However, to access these programs from anywhere, you need a reliable VPN that can bypass geo-blocking. Here is a list of upcoming matches and channels that will broadcast the tournament for free.
| Upcoming game | Date | Free streaming channel |
| RB Salzburg vs Brest | October 1st | CBS Sports Golazo Network (USA) Caliente TV Android or iOS app (Mexico) Digisport (Romania) CBC Sport (Azerbaijan) |
| Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain | October 1st | Virgin Media 2 (Ireland) Caliente TV app Android or iOS (Mexico) |
| Barcelona vs Young Boys | October 1st | RTE (Ireland), Caliente TV Android or iOS app (Mexico) |
| Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan | October 1st | Caliente TV app Android or iOS (Mexico) Play SRF, Play RSI, Play RTS (Switzerland) RTL Play (Belgium) VTM (Belgium) |
| Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City | October 1st | Virgin Media 2 (Ireland) RTL Play (Luxembourg) Caliente TV Android or iOS app (Mexico) Digisport (Romania) Mega (TV Greece) CBC Sport (Azerbaijan) HRT (Croatia) |
| Dinamo Zagreb vs AS Monaco | October 2nd | Caliente TV app Android or iOS (Mexico) |
| SK Sturm Graz vs Club Brugge | October 2nd | Virgin Media 2 (Ireland) CBS Sports Golazo Network (USA) Digisport (Romania) CBC Sport (Azerbaijan) |
| Girona vs Feyenoord Rotterdam | October 2nd | Livescore (Ireland) |
| Shakhtar Donetsk vs Atalanta | October 2nd | RTE (Ireland), HRT (Croatia) |
| Liverpool vs Bologna | October 2nd | RTL Play (Luxembourg) RTL Play (Belgium) VTM (Belgium) |
The best VPNs to watch the Champions League in 2024
Together with our research team, I evaluated many different VPNs and selected my top 3 picks for unblocking streaming platforms. Here are my top picks.
1. NordVPN – best VPN for Champions League overall
| Server network: | 6300+ servers in 111 countries |
| Based in: | Panama |
| Unblocks: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is my number one choice for unblocking Champion League games, or any streaming platform for that matter. With over 6300+ servers in 111 countries, NordVPN is sure to unblock any TV channel without a hitch.
It encrypts your internet traffic with a highly secure encryption method, AES-256, and includes many features to enhance your online security, such as a kill switch, obfuscated servers, and Threat Protection.
I evaluated NordVPN’s capabilities in unblocking Champions League games. First, I connected to a NordVPN server in the United States and opened Fubo. NordVPN easily unblocked Fubo, and I was able to create an account and start a free trial, streaming Champions League games completely for free.
I experienced a stable performance when watching the Champions League game with little to no buffering.
Starting at $3.09/month, NordVPN is relatively inexpensive, and you’ll be able to use the same subscription on 10 different devices.You can also try the service with a 7-day free trial.
All in all, NordVPN is an excellent VPN that will easily bypass geo-restrictions and allow you to watch the Champions League and many other sports without a hassle.
2. Surfshark – affordable VPN for Champions League streaming
| Server network | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Unblocks: | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more |
| Current deal: | Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 4 months FREE |
Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPN providers that unblocks Champions League games. It employs the AES-256 encryption method and has a kill switch, specialized servers, and more.
I tested Surfshark myself and was pleasantly surprised with the results. Considering that Surfshark is very cheap, I didn’t expect it to be able to unblock less popular streaming platforms, but it proved me wrong.
Surfshark connected to a VPN server within a few seconds, and I was able to log in to my Fubo account and use my free trial to stream the Champions League games without a problem. Streaming was also smooth; I experienced no buffering, and the video quality remained stable.
Starting at $1.99/month, Surfshark is the cheapest VPN on this list. All Surfshark subscriptions include unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to stream the Champions League on as many devices as you want. It also includes a 7-day free trial if you’re not ready to commit.
Overall, Surfshark is an affordable VPN service with plenty of servers to choose from. I like Surfshark because it offers an excellent price-to-value ratio and has no problems unblocking Champions League games.
3. IPVanish – great VPN for watching Champions League with advanced features
| Server network: | 2400+ servers in 55 locations |
| Based in: | United States |
| Unblocks: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish + 3 months FREE |
IPVanish is a feature-rich VPN for unblocking Champions League games for a very low price. It uses the industry-standard AES-256 encryption method and offers many features to secure your online presence. This includes a kill switch, Threat Protection, and obfuscated servers, among other advanced features.
During my tests, IPVanish unblocked Fubo without any problems. I connected to a few servers in different countries, and IPVanish unblocked geo-restricted content, Champions League games included, in all of them.
The streaming quality was good, and I experienced some buffering but not enough to impact my streaming experience.
When it comes to price, IPVanish is on par with Surfshark. Starting at $2.19/month, IPVanish is an inexpensive VPN alternative that offers an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. It also has a 7-day free trial so you can try out the service before committing.
Simply put, IPVanish is a good and cheap VPN alternative for those who don’t mind a smaller server network.
How to watch UEFA Champions League from your country
In the next section, we’ll take you through the process of watching the UEFA Champions League from a variety of locations.
Watch the Champions League online in the USA
The Champions League is being shown on CBS in the USA. This is available through basic cable packages and the network’s Paramount Plus streaming service (which has a 1-week free trial).
Another option in the USA is FuboTV, which also provides a 1-week free trial and carries CBS. Prices for a subscription start at $74.99 a month. To sign up, you simply need a credit card, email address, and US zip code.
If you’re outside of the US, you can use a decent VPN to connect to a US VPN server and stream online. We used NordVPN to connect to a US server and stream a game through FuboTV – it worked great.
Watch the Champions League online in the UK
The UK subscription channel BT Sport has exclusive rights to the Champions League this year. It will be showing every match of the competition either on TV or online.
BT Sport is available to BT customers and can be added on by Sky, TalkTalk, and Virgin Media subscribers too. If you don’t want to be locked into a contract, you can take advantage of the new Monthly Pass option provided by BT Sport.
Alternatively, you can use a VPN to watch the UK Champions League coverage from any location. For example, read or guide on how you can watch Sky One in the US.
Watch the Champions League online in Australia
Are you watching the game from Australia? Optus Sport is showing all of the Champions League matches this season. Optus coverage can be streamed via your mobile or tablet with the channel app or accessed on Fetch TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast.
If you’re outside Australia and want to watch Optus sport, you can use a VPN to connect to an Australian server and stream the games online.
How to watch the Champions League without a cable
Fortunately, it’s totally possible to watch the Champions League without cable. All you need is a reliable VPN for streaming, a suitable device, and a good internet connection.
Then choose one a streaming platform that shows the Champions league, for example FuboTV which provides a 1-week free trial, and enjoy the action.
In the next section, we’ll show you how to watch the games on a variety of devices.
How to stream the Champions League on your device
This section will take you step by step through the process of streaming the Champions League on your device. These guides will show you the way:
- Stream Champions League on your phone
- Stream Champions League on your Roku
- Stream Champions League on your Kodi
- Stream Champions League on your Firestick
Stream the Champions League on phone (Android, Apple)
If you want to watch the Champions League on your Android or iPhone devices, these are the steps you need to follow:
- Download a VPN and install on your router. Alternatively, you can install it on a laptop that can create a mobile hotspot. We recommend NordVPN.
- Change your IP address to suit the streaming service you have chosen.
- Connect your Android or iPhone device to your wifi network or the mobile hotspot.
- Go to your Google Play or App Store.
- Install the app for the streaming service of your choice.
- Open the app, search for the Champions League and enjoy!
Stream the Champions League on Roku
If you live outside of the USA, you’ll need a VPN to watch the Champions League on Roku. Simply follow these steps:
- Download and install a VPN, such as NordVPN, on your router or laptop. Make sure the VPN you choose supports the Roku media player.
- Connect your VPN to a US server.
- Start your Roku device and select the Champions League.
- Watch a game and enjoy!
Stream the Champions League on Kodi
To watch the Champions League on Kodi, you need to follow these steps:
- Register for a reliable VPN with US servers (we recommend NordVPN)
- Download and install the software
- Connect to a server of your choice
- Sign up to Sling TV or PlayStation Vue
- Download and install the latest version of Kodi
- Load Kodi and go to Addons > Install from repository > Video addons
- Find and install the Kodi addons for Sling TV and/or Playstation Vue
- Load the addon of your choice and enter your login details
- Load your streaming service of choice, find the Champions League and enjoy!
Stream the Champions League on Firestick
To watch the Champions League online with your Firestick, you need to follow this process:
- Download a VPN to your Firestick. We recommend NordVPN.
- Connect to the server of your choice.
- Look for a streaming platform that is live streaming the Champions League and start watching!
Which foreign channels broadcast the Champions League for free?
Here’s a list of major foreign TV channels that are broadcasting the Champions League for free:
| TV Channel | Country | Games you can watch |
| ZDF | Germany | Champions League Finale |
| RTS | Switzerland | Select games |
| bTV | Bulgaria | Select games |
| HRT | Croatia | Select games |
| RTL Play BE | Belgium | 1 game per matchday |
| MegaTV | Greece | 1 game per week |
| TVI | Portugal | 1 game per matchday |
| CBS Sports | USA | Select games |
| Caliente TV via YouTube | Mexico | 109 games |
Luckily, you can access any of these channels with the help of a VPN. Simply connect to a country that streams the Champions League for free and enjoy.
Is a free VPN enough to unblock Champions League streaming?
I don’t recommend using a free VPN to stream or even browse. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, free VPNs are pretty limited in features, server network, speed, and security. The main issue is the lack of streaming-specialized servers, which means you won’t be able to bypass geo-restrictions and watch the Champions League.
Secondly, free VPNs have to make money. And if they’re not getting it directly from you, the user, via a subscription, they will employ other means, such as selling your data to advertisers or other third parties.
Last but not least, most free VPNs have lackluster security, and some may even install malware on your device.
If you really want to use a free VPN, I recommend Proton VPN, it’s a free version of a premium VPN service; however, it has a small server network and may not be able to unblock geo-restricted content.
UEFA Champions League schedule
Do not miss the most important UEFA Champions League 2024/25 dates:
| Event | Date |
| Qualifying rounds |
|
| Playoff round |
|
| Group stage draw |
|
| Round of 16 |
|
| Quarterfinals |
|
| Semi-finals |
|
| Final |
|
Champions League overview
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League this year is the 70th season of Europe’s premier football tournament. The finals will take place at Fußball Arena München on May 31, 2025.
The Champions League will be broadcast on many TV channels; however, it will be available only to those residing in certain regions. Luckily, you can bypass geo-restrictions with a VPN and watch the Champions League for free.
I recommend NordVPN, as it has a massive server network and gave me access to Champions League games without any problems.
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FAQ
How to watch the Champions League with NordVPN?
All you have to do is connect to a NordVPN server in a country that broadcasts Champions League games for free. Then go to the broadcaster’s official page or app and stream the Champions League for free.
Will the Champions League final be on YouTube TV?
Yes. BT Sport will broadcast the Champions League on YouTube TV.
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