Champions League: Which match will be broadcast free-to-air on the first matchday?
The 2026–2027 Champions League is about to begin, and the TV broadcast schedule is changing: Europe’s top competition will be broadcast by Sky Sport (streaming on NOW) and Amazon Prime Video, which will retain exclusive rights to the top Wednesday night match featuring an Italian team.
This season, no Italian teams will be broadcast on free-to-air TV: matches featuring Inter, Napoli, Roma, and Como are reserved for pay-per-view channels. TV8 will broadcast one free-to-air match per matchday of the group stage, but these will feature only foreign teams.
The first match broadcast free-to-air by TV8 will be Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid, scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. Studio coverage will begin at 8:20 p.m.
On this first matchday, Inter will make its debut on the road in Madrid against Real Madrid on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m., while Napoli will host Arsenal on Wednesday, September 9, also at 9:00 p.m. Two Italian teams will take the field on Thursday: Roma will make its debut in Istanbul against Fenerbahçe, while Como will make its historic home debut against Leipzig.
A top-level matchup is expected at the Bernabéu. José Mourinho’s Real Madrid, coming off a La Liga loss to Sevilla, will rely on a front three of Diomande, Brahim Diaz, and Vinicius behind Mbappé, with Valverde and Bellingham in midfield. Mourinho will have to do without several key players, including Bernardo Silva, Arda Güler, and Camavinga. Chivu’s Inter will respond with a 3-5-2 formation: in front of Josep Martínez, the defensive line will consist of Bisseck, Akanji, and Bastoni, while the Lautaro Martínez–Thuram duo is confirmed up front. “Real can hurt you in many ways; they can either overwhelm you or pose a threat on the counterattack,” Chivu said at a press conference. “We need to raise our level of focus without straying too far from our style, keeping in mind that the intensity required in the Champions League is much more demanding.”
