Sanoma Media Finland has acquired the television rights to the UEFA Champions League for four seasons starting in autumn 2027. The Champions League is the world’s biggest and most prestigious club football competition.
All 200+ UCL matches each season will be available to Ruutu+ subscribers from next autumn, and in addition, one or two broadcasts per week will also air on Nelonen Media’s free-to-air TV channels during the season. A high-impact, expert studio show will be built around the matchdays, and matches will feature Finnish commentary.
Ruutu is already known as the home of domestic ball sports—and football in particular. The Veikkausliiga season has just kicked off, and as a league it is clearly on a growth trajectory. Alongside it, the football offering is complemented by, for example, Briotech Kansallinen Liiga, Ykkösliiga, the Finnish Cup and the League Cup.
Major sports properties are, more broadly, a strength for Nelonen Media. Highlights in 2025 include, for example, ice hockey’s 4 Nations, the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, and EuroBasket—awarded a Golden Venla.
“UEFA Champions League is a fantastic addition for Ruutu’s customers and further strengthens our diverse sports offering. With the world’s greatest football competition, we believe Ruutu will continue its strong growth. It is also great to be able to show top matches on Nelonen Media’s TV channels and to build a high-quality studio show into the broadcasts,” says Kari Laakso, Business Director, Nelonen Media.
