FIFA has failed to sell broadcast rights for its inaugural Women’s Champions Cup, set to take place in London from 28 January 2026. The tournament features Arsenal representing Europe alongside other continental champions, but major UK broadcasters have shown little interest. This situation echoes challenges faced with the men’s Club World Cup rights sale.
FIFA's first global women’s club competition, the Women’s Champions Cup, faces a setback as TV rights remain unsold ahead of its launch. The four-match event, consisting of two semi-finals, a third-place playoff, and the final, is scheduled for London from 28 January to 1 February 2026. Arsenal, the UEFA Women’s Champions League holders, will represent Europe and face the winner of a playoff between Chinese side Wuhan Jiangda and Moroccan club AS FAR. The other semi-final pits CONCACAF champions Gotham FC against Copa Libertadores winners Corinthians.
FIFA opted not to run a formal tender process, instead targeting key broadcasters in individual markets. In the UK, Women’s Super League rights holders Sky Sports and BBC Sport were offered the tournament but displayed little interest, despite Arsenal’s involvement and the London location. Sources indicate venues have yet to be revealed, which could impact ticket sales and broadcaster enthusiasm. With only eight weeks until kickoff, a last-minute deal remains possible, though the limited scope of four matches in under a week has dampened interest.
This mirrors FIFA’s earlier struggles to sell rights for the revamped men’s Club World Cup, eventually secured by DAZN in a deal reportedly worth $1 billion (£750 million), with a stake sold to Saudi Arabian vehicle SURJ Sports Investment. DAZN later sublicensed to outlets like Channel 5 in the UK and TNT Sports in the US, finalized six months before the event.
The tournament was approved by the FIFA Council in March 2025, following the postponement of a 16-team Women’s Club World Cup to 2028. That larger event will occur every four years, with the Champions Cup filling the other years in the cycle. Staging challenges arose from the congested calendar; Gotham FC proposed hosting in New York, but Arsenal objected due to a WSL match against Chelsea on 24 January. FIFA declined to comment, noting the rights process is ongoing.
Fan groups have raised broader concerns about the expanding calendar, including a letter from the Football Supporters’ Association to the WSL and FA, co-signed by 34 organizations. It highlights player health risks and potential distortions to domestic leagues from the Women’s Club World Cup’s financial prizes.
