How to watch Champions League 2026/27 — it's FREE | Tech Radar

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How to watch Champions League 2026/27 — it's FREE

Stream the opening gameweek of the Champions League for free

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(Image credit: Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Champions League 2026/27 Dates: September 8, 2026 → June 5, 2027

Stream 7 games free this week on RTÉ Player & Virgin Media Play

Watch the Champions League for free as the 2026/27 campaign gets underway tonight. Sixteen games will be played out across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with Real Madrid vs Inter, Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid and Napoli vs Arsenal among the highlights.

Not excited yet? Here’s more: RTÉ Player and Virgin Media Play will be streaming seven games for free to viewers in Ireland this week with English commentary.

But how can you watch The Champions League 2026/27 on RTÉ and Virgin Media from anywhere? Can you access the free UCL streams in the UK and the US too? And what games will be shown on the service.

Here’s our simple guide to how to watch the 2026/27 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world using Nord VPN.

Virgin Media Play and RTE Player have eight games available for free for you this week:

Tuesday (September 8): Club Brugge vs Aston Villa (5.45pm) - Virgin Media Play Real Madrid vs Inter Milan (8pm) - Virgin Media Play

Wednesday (September 9): Barcelona vs Feyenoord (5.45pm) - Virgin Media Play Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid (8pm) - RTÉ Player Arsenal vs Sporting (8pm) - Virgin Media Play

Thursday (September 10) Fenerbahce vs Roma (5.45pm) - Virgin Media Play Bayern Munich v Bodo/Glimt (8pm) - Virgin Media Play Man Utd vs Sabah (8pm) - RTÉ Player

How to watch Champions League 2026/27 on Virgin Media Play and RTÉ Player

RTÉ Player and Virgin Media Play will be streaming the Champions League for free to Irish residents.

To watch RTÉ: visit the RTÉ website or download the RTÉ Player App (i OS / Android ).

To watch Virgin Media Play: visit the Virgin Media Play website or download the Virgin Media Play App (i OS / Android)

Both RTÉ Player and Virgin Media Play are free and come with English commentary.

OUTSIDE IRELAND? ACCESS FREE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE STREAMS FROM ANYWHERE WITH NORDVPN

How to watch Champions League 2026/27 for free from anywhere

Although RTÉ and Virgin Media Play are some of our favorite streaming platforms for the 2026/26 Champions League, they are only available in Ireland.

Football lovers traveling outside the Emerald Isle can still access these free Champions League streams by using a VPN.

There are lots of VPN's but Nord VPN is our pick to unblock RTE and Virgin Media Play to stream The Champions League like a pro.... and you can save 70% right now.

Not having a VPN is like leaving your front door wide open in a busy city — anyone can walk right in and take a peek.

Tech Radar regularly reviews all the biggest and best VPN providers and Nord VPN is our #1 choice.

✅ 75% Off Today ✅ 3 Months Extra Free ✅ Unlocks RTE & VM Play

Get Nord VPN and stream the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

It's really easy to use a VPN to watch RTÉ Player and Virgin Media Play.

Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, Nord VPN is the best choice.
Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting Canada and want to watch your free Irish Virgin Media Play stream - you'd select Ireland from the options.

Why should I use RTÉ and Virgin Media Play to watch the Champions League?

RTÉ Player and Virgin Media Play are two of our favourite streaming services for Irish residents, offering a host of live sports as well as an abundance of great TV shows.

Among the events we've enjoyed on these platforms over the past year are Gaelic football, the Six Nations, and horse racing. You can't forget the Traitors Ireland either.

RTÉ recommends an internet speed of at least 5–10 Mbps for quality streaming.

Android TV (please note: some models may not be supported)

Google TV (including Chromecast with Google TV and NVIDIA Shield)

Freesat (please note: some models may not be supported)

Freeview Play (TVs and set-top boxes – some models may not be supported)

NOW Smart Sticks and Boxes (minimum firmware version 11.5.0)

Roku (Stick & Roku OS-powered TVs – minimum firmware version 11.5.0)

Sporting Calendar 2026: Your guide to sporting events

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Jacob is a journalist and editor based in the UK. He studied Specialist Sports Journalism at the University of Derby, graduating with First-Class Honours. He has contributed articles to Football League World and previously worked at Yeovil Town Football Club. Jacob’s expertise spans streaming services and sports, with a particular passion for football, cricket, and rugby union.

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News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards