By Eddah Waithaka
CANAL+ has fired a major shot in the African sports broadcasting war, securing the exclusive, all-language rights to every UEFA Men’s Club competition across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The blockbuster deal, announced today, hands the French media giant the broadcasting keys to the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for over 40 countries starting in mid-2027. The agreement runs through 2031, ensuring CANAL+ subscribers across the region will witness Europe’s elite club battles for the next four seasons.
This power play brings the world’s biggest football stars directly to African screens. From Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland to African giants Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Achraf Hakimi, the continent’s fans will watch the game’s biggest names collide exclusively on CANAL+ channels.
A Continental Split with SuperSport
The agreement reshapes the broadcasting landscape depending on the region:
· In French-speaking Africa, the deal marks a historic return. CANAL+ Sport channels will now offer comprehensive, exclusive French-language coverage of the Champions League, alongside the Europa League and Conference League for the very first time.
· In English and Portuguese-speaking Africa, SuperSport—the long-standing host of UEFA competitions—will continue its reign. The partnership strengthens SuperSport’s position as the leading sports platform, allowing it to retain exclusive coverage for its subscribers in those markets.
Both broadcasters already dominate the regional sports scene with top-tier leagues, including the Premier League, LaLiga, and Ligue 1, alongside the ongoing TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
“The Most Attractive Sports Line-Up”
CANAL+ CEO Maxime Saada framed the acquisition as a definitive statement of intent, emphasizing that the company now offers the most compelling sports portfolio on the continent.
“We are very proud of this new partnership, which gives us exclusive rights to all UEFA Men’s Club competitions across more than 40 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Saada declared. “For four seasons, until 2031, our subscribers will enjoy the thrill of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League biggest matches. Today, CANAL+ offers the most attractive sports line-up across Sub-Saharan Africa, and the acquisition of these rights is a perfect illustration of that.”
Saada extended his gratitude to UC3 and the Relevent teams, noting the deal follows similar recent agreements the group secured in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland, and Austria.
With this landmark partnership, CANAL+ cements its position as the undisputed home of premium sport, delivering an unrivalled portfolio of world-class competitions to millions of fans across the continent.
