Disney and ESPN have announced the launch of ESPN on Disney+ in 53 countries in Europe and Asia-Pacific, including Spain. With this movement the global presence of the sports brand expands to approximately 100 markets all over the world. For Spanish subscribers, the news means access, above all, to NBA, NHL and American university sports, on the same platform where they already watched Marvel or Star Wars (or the Women’s Champions League). LaLiga and the men’s Champions League, however, continue on other platforms.
What exactly is coming. The initial offer will vary by market, with specific content for Spain to be confirmed, as well as the landing date. What is assured for all territories: NBA and NHL starting with the 2026-27 season, American university tournaments including the men’s and women’s March Madness, college football with the College Football Playoff, and events such as the Little League World Series. The complete collection of ’30 for 30′ documentaries, a library of sports films, and the football analysis program ESPN FC are added.
What there was already. From the 2025-26 season, Disney+ is the exclusive home of the UEFA Women’s Champions Leaguewith all 75 matches available at no additional cost to subscribers. The production is carried out by ESPN, which was already launching its sports presence on the continent. The platform chose a growing niche sport so as not to collide head-on with DAZN and Movistar in the terrain where they are most armored.
Where are LaLiga and the men’s Champions League. The Spanish televised football market is locked and the term is long. Movistar Plus+ and DAZN share the ten games of each LaLiga matchday until the 2026-27 season, and in November 2025 they already renewed that agreement for the next cycle. The agreement covers seasons 2027-28 to 2031-32with five games per day for each operator. Disney did not participate in that tender.
The situation in the men’s Champions League is just as airtight. Telefónica obtained exclusive rights to all UEFA competitions (Champions, Europa League, Conference League, Youth League and Super Cup) for the Spanish market between 2027 and 2031. This shields Movistar from any competitor until at least 2031 in the most followed competition on the continent. On the other hand, as already was discussed last yearDisney+ shows more interest in the English market, where it acts as the main operator, than in Spain.
And outside of Spain? The panorama is very different. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Disney+ exclusively broadcasts Saturday night LaLiga matches, an agreement in force until the 2027-28 season. In the Nordic countries, Disney+ has rights to the Copa del Rey, UEFA Europa League, Conference League and DFB Pokal. In Latin America, ESPN has been integrated into Disney+ for years with LaLiga, Champions League, Premier League and practically all top-level European football.
The sport matters as much as the series. Streaming platforms have been detecting for years that series and movies alone do not retain subscribers with the same effectiveness as live sport. The women’s Champions League was a very calculated bet by Disney+ and the arrival of ESPN to 53 countries It is the next phase of that strategy. It’s also not the first time that ESPN has tried to establish itself in Europe: the brand already operated linear channels on the continent before withdrawing them when its strategy pivoted towards the streaming. As in Latin America, its plan now incorporates ESPN as a hub within a platform, Disney+, with existing subscribers.
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