In a move that signals a seismic shift in sports broadcasting, CBS Sports is officially rolling out its expanded coverage of the UEFA Women`s Champions League (UWCL). As the exclusive English-language broadcaster, this isn`t merely a new deal; it`s a bold declaration of intent, promising to bring elite European women`s club football to an audience that has long craved such dedicated attention.
The Commitment: More Than Just Airtime
Starting October 7, the 2025-26 UWCL campaign will officially begin its journey toward the final at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway. Every match will be available for streaming on Paramount+, while select fixtures will also grace the airwaves of CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network. This multi-platform approach ensures accessibility, a crucial factor in cultivating a broader fanbase for women`s football.
What truly sets this expanded coverage apart is not just the quantity, but the quality of investment. CBS Sports has committed to a partnership with the UWCL through 2030, a long-term vision that speaks volumes about the perceived value and growth potential of the sport. This isn`t a fleeting experiment; it`s a foundational pillar in their content strategy.
The Studio: A New Home for Insight and Analysis
At the heart of this comprehensive coverage is the brand-new studio show, “UEFA Women`s Champions League Today.” Broadcasting from CBS Sports` Stamford, CT studio, this program will anchor the competition`s coverage with pre- and post-match analysis, featuring live reports from Europe throughout the season. For years, dedicated fans have often felt like digital archaeologists, piecing together information from various, sometimes obscure, sources. CBS Sports has seemingly decided to build them a gleaming, modern museum.
The talent lineup for the show is as impressive as it is insightful, featuring a panel composed almost entirely of former FIFA Women`s World Cup and Super League winners:
- Hannah Cash will host, guiding discussions with seasoned expertise.
- Analysts include powerhouse names like Jen Beattie, Janelly Farias, Darian Jenkins, Kelley O`Hara, and Ali Riley. These are not merely talking heads; they are individuals who have played at the highest echelons of the game, bringing an unparalleled level of on-field understanding to the broadcast.
Match play-by-play duties will be led by Chris Wittyngham, joined by co-analysts Jenkins and Beattie. Christina Unkel will serve as CBS Sports` rules analyst, providing clarity on complex decisions, while Anita Jones will deliver live pitchside reports, capturing the atmosphere directly from the stadiums.
A Strategic Play: Expanding the Women`s Sports Portfolio
This UWCL expansion isn`t an isolated event. It seamlessly integrates into CBS Sports` already robust women`s soccer portfolio. Paramount+ currently serves as the official home for the NWSL Championship and a selection of NWSL regular season matches, alongside the Concacaf W Champions Cup and Concacaf W Gold Cup. With additional women`s Nations League matches and European friendlies also available across CBS properties, the network is cementing its position as a premier destination for women`s football.
The timing is opportune, coinciding with a revamped UWCL tournament format that now includes 18 clubs in an initial league phase and a newly added knockout phase playoff round. This expanded structure promises more high-stakes matches and increased opportunities for thrilling narratives, all of which will now be showcased on a grander stage.
The Future Is Now
The journey begins with Arsenal`s opening match against OL Lyonnes on October 7, a fixture that promises to kick off the competition with a bang. For sports enthusiasts and advocates of equitable representation in media, this extensive UWCL coverage represents a significant victory. It underscores a growing recognition that women`s sports are not just “good for business,” but intrinsically compelling and deserving of the same production quality, analytical depth, and fervent promotion traditionally reserved for their male counterparts.
CBS Sports` investment in the UWCL is a testament to the undeniable rise of women`s football. It’s a clear signal that the era of treating women`s sports as secondary content is fading, replaced by a commitment to showcasing world-class athleticism with the respect and prominence it unequivocally deserves. The ball, it seems, is well and truly rolling.
