UEFA European Finals 2021: Free to watch on BT Sport

BT Sport’s exclusive live coverage of both the 2021 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League finals will be available to watch for free via its YouTube channel and online platforms.

The pay-TV broadcaster will live stream both showpiece finals for free online on BT Sport YouTube, the BT Sport website – via btsport.com/final – and via the BT Sport App for small and large-screen devices, including Playstation, Xbox, Samsung Smart TV and Amazon Fire, and on Virgin channel 532.

As part of its rights deal with UEFA since 2015, BT Sport is contractually obliged to broadcast the two finals on free-to-air platforms, with this arrangement to continue when the new three-year rights cycle kicks in from the start of next season.

For the first three seasons, both matches were broadcast on the former BT Sport Showcase TV channel, but since 2019 BT has shown them free of charge online via its website and on YouTube. 

BT Sport confirmed its on-air line-ups for the both 2021 finals, which will start with the UEFA Europa League Final between Villarreal and Manchester United on Wednesday, 26 May.

Live coverage on the night will begin at 6.30pm on BT Sport 1, ahead of an 8pm kick-off in Gdansk, presented by Jake Humphrey, with Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes alongside in the studio, while match commentary comes from Ian Darke and Robbie Savage.

BT’s coverage of the 2021 UEFA Champions League final between Man City and Chelsea will begin with a live preview show on Friday 28 May at 8pm, hosted by Lynsey Hipgrave with guests Michael Owen, Gianfranco Zola and Owen Hargreaves on BT Sport 1.

Live coverage of the match itself at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto will begin at 6pm on Saturday, 29 May, on BT Sport 1, hosted by Gary Lineker and the studio team featuring Rio Ferdinand, Joleon Lescott and Joe Cole, while Darren Fletcher, Steve McManaman, Glenn Hoddle will be on commentary duties and pitchside reports come from Des Kelly.

Commenting on the broadcaster’s coverage of both showpiece matches, Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said:

“After a difficult year for everyone, it’s exciting to be approaching the end of the football season with three English teams making it through to the European finals, and the option of being able to go to the pub or watch it at home with other fans or family and friends in person.

“Anyone can watch the final, on BT Sport or for free online or on YouTube, or by downloading the BT Sport App and trying out Match Day Experience features such as the enhanced player and Watch Together.”

Ben McOwen Wilson, manager director of YouTube UK, added:

“We’re proud and excited to partner BT Sport to bring the two biggest matches in European club football to British viewers for the sixth year running, including our third all-English final in this year’s UEFA Champions League!

“With restrictions lifting, no doubt many fans will be looking forward to meeting with friends and family to watch the beautiful game on the big screen. This year BT and YouTube will deliver the highest quality streams in Ultra High Definition and for the first time high frame rate (60fps) to allow all our viewers to have the best possible free viewing experience, wherever they are.

“Football is in this country’s DNA and the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League finals have always attracted record-breaking viewing figures on the platform. YouTube’s committed to ensuring that digital Britain builds back better and after a tough year for sports fans, we expect this year to be one of the biggest yet.”

Details of how to watch the 2021 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League finals for free with BT Sport can be found below.

For a full list of all forthcoming major football matches on the box, visit SOTB’s dedicated football TV listings page.

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WEDNESDAY 26th MAY

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SATURDAY 29th MAY

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Ways to watch the UEFA Champions League & Europa League finals for FREE