On Tuesday, November 25, and Wednesday, November 26, 2023, the UEFA Champions League enters its decisive fifth matchday, with giants like Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Tottenham Hotspur battling for knockout qualification. For fans without paid subscriptions, free viewing options exist across Europe — if you know where to look. The UEFA Champions League isn’t just about the stars on the pitch; it’s also a masterclass in regional broadcasting strategy, where free access remains a lifeline for millions.
Matchday 5 Kickoff: When and Where
The first wave of action kicks off on Tuesday, November 25, at 17:45 GMT, when Ajax hosts Benfica at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. But the real fireworks come Wednesday. Twelve matches kick off simultaneously at 12:45 p.m. and 3 p.m. Eastern Time — a scheduling crunch designed to keep every result dramatic. Real Madrid travels to face Olympiacos, while Liverpool takes on PSV. The most anticipated? Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain vs. Tottenham Hotspur at 3 p.m. ET. These aren’t just games — they’re elimination thresholds.
Free Viewing Across Europe
In Ireland, RTÉ — the national broadcaster headquartered in Donnybrook, Dublin — continues its decades-long tradition of free Champions League coverage. Fans can watch at least one match per week on RTÉ Player or live on RTÉ 2. Meanwhile, Virgin Media Play offers free access to four of its eight weekly matches via Virgin Media Two. It’s a rare public service model in an era of paywalls.
Elsewhere, free options are still alive. In Belgium, RTL and VTM broadcast matches without subscription. Turkish viewers get live games on TRT, the state broadcaster. Even in the UK — where most top-tier football is locked behind pay-TV — the BBC keeps the flame alive. Every Wednesday night, viewers can catch a highlights show on BBC One or BBC Two, plus full replays on BBC iPlayer. It’s the second straight season the BBC has done this, a quiet but vital concession to public access.
United States: Pay or Wait
In the U.S., Paramount+ holds exclusive streaming rights. But here’s the loophole: a 7-day free trial, cancel anytime. That’s enough for Matchday 5. CBS broadcasts select games over-the-air, including the 3 p.m. ET doubleheader. The CBS Sports Golazo Network kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday with a whip-around show hosted by Kate Scott, featuring expert analysts Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards. It’s not just commentary — it’s context. They break down why Arsenal’s midfield is struggling against high presses, or why Tottenham’s counterattacks could exploit PSG’s fullbacks. For Spanish speakers, Univision and VIX offer live coverage. Xfinity subscribers can also add the ‘World Soccer Ticket’ package for broader access.
Behind the Scenes: Why Free Access Still Exists
UEFA’s decision to distribute rights across multiple broadcasters — some free, some premium — isn’t accidental. It’s a deliberate strategy to maintain the tournament’s cultural footprint. In countries like Ireland and Turkey, where football is deeply woven into national identity, free-to-air broadcasts ensure the Champions League isn’t just for the wealthy. The BBC’s highlights deal, for instance, follows a 2022 agreement that prioritized public service over pure profit. Even Amazon Prime Video’s 30-day free trial in the UK is less a marketing gimmick and more a nod to tradition — fans who grew up watching the competition on terrestrial TV still expect access.
And it’s working. According to UEFA’s 2023 broadcast report, free-to-air matches in Europe still draw an average of 12 million viewers per game — nearly half the total audience for Matchday 4. That’s more than the combined viewership of some Premier League fixtures on Sky Sports.
What’s Next: The Road to Wembley
Matchday 5 is the last real chance for teams like Ajax, PSG, and Liverpool to control their destiny. The top two in each group advance automatically. The third-place finishers drop into the Europa League. The fourth? Eliminated. Matchday 6 on December 12-13 will be even more intense — with simultaneous kickoffs again, and every goal carrying maximum weight.
The knockout stage begins in February 2024, with the final set for Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Wembley Stadium in London. That final is expected to be broadcast free in the UK on Discovery+ — a move by TNT Sports, its parent company, to replicate the success of last year’s free final. It’s a sign that even pay-TV giants are starting to realize: the Champions League belongs to the public.
Looking Ahead: 2025/26 and Beyond
Future seasons will see even more free access. In 2025, Virgin Media Play and RTÉ will stream five Matchday 3 games for free in Ireland — including Barcelona vs. Olympiacos and Real Madrid vs. Juventus. The trend is clear: broadcasters are betting that free highlights and occasional live matches build loyalty that translates into paid subscriptions later.
VPN Use: Legal Gray Zone
For fans outside these regions, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) like NordVPN can unlock access to RTÉ Player or Virgin Media Play. TechRadar recommends NordVPN with a 70% discount for this purpose. But here’s the catch: while using a VPN isn’t illegal in most countries, it often violates the terms of service of broadcasters. Streaming services may block the connection, and some have started geo-blocking more aggressively. It’s a workaround — not a solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Champions League Matchday 5 for free in the UK?
Yes, but not live. The BBC airs a weekly highlights show on Wednesday nights on BBC One or BBC Two, and full replays are available on BBC iPlayer. Amazon Prime Video offers a 30-day free trial that includes one live match per week — ideal for Matchday 5. After the trial, the standalone Prime Video subscription costs £5.99/month.
Why does Ireland have free Champions League games when the UK doesn’t?
Ireland’s public broadcasters, RTÉ and Virgin Media, have held Champions League rights since the 1990s under agreements that require free-to-air access to maintain audience reach. The UK’s market is more commercialized, but the BBC’s highlights deal since 2022 is a compromise — keeping the tournament visible without paying full rights fees.
What’s the difference between Paramount+ and CBS for U.S. viewers?
Paramount+ streams every Champions League match live, while CBS only broadcasts select games over-the-air — usually the most high-profile ones, like Arsenal vs. Bayern or PSG vs. Tottenham. The CBS Sports Golazo Network, available on Paramount+, offers continuous coverage with expert analysts like Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher.
Is it worth using a VPN to watch RTÉ Player from outside Ireland?
It’s technically possible with services like NordVPN, and many fans do it. But RTÉ actively blocks known VPN IP addresses, so success isn’t guaranteed. Plus, you’re violating their terms of service. For occasional use — like Matchday 5 — it’s a gamble. A free trial on Paramount+ or the BBC highlights are safer, legal alternatives.
When will the Champions League final be broadcast for free?
The June 1, 2024, final at Wembley Stadium is expected to be free in the UK on Discovery+, following TNT Sports’ precedent of offering the past two finals without subscription. This is a strategic move to attract viewers ahead of their own paid services, not a permanent policy — but it signals a shift in how broadcasters view the tournament’s cultural value.
How many matches are shown for free in Ireland during Matchday 5?
RTÉ typically broadcasts one live match per week, often the Irish-connected fixture — like Liverpool or Celtic — while Virgin Media Play offers free access to four of its eight weekly matches. For Matchday 5, fans can expect at least one live game on RTÉ 2 or RTÉ Player, and possibly two on Virgin Media Two, depending on scheduling.
