Champions League set to land in USA before 2033

Football, now an entirely globalised product, continues to explore new frontiers for greater financial returns, sometimes leading to controversial decisions. Just a few years ago, the idea of a Champions League match being held outside Europe seemed unimaginable, but that possibility is now becoming increasingly likely, with the United States as a potential host.

According to The Independent and Sky Sports, UEFA could bring its flagship competition, including its prestigious final, to the U.S. before the decade's end. This move is closely tied to the ongoing negotiations, with UEFA preparing to sign an agreement with Relevent Sports.

The European governing body is in advanced talks with the U.S. agency to secure global commercial rights for its club competitions from 2027 to 2033. UEFA confirmed these discussions in a recent statement: "The UC3 council, the joint project between UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA), has agreed to enter an exclusive negotiation period with Relevent Sports for the global commercial rights of UEFA’s men’s club competitions for the period 2027-2033."

If successful, this deal would mark the end of UEFA's long-standing relationship with Swiss agency TEAM Marketing, which has handled these rights for over 30 years, and open the door for European tournaments to be held outside of the continent for the first time.

Relevent Sports, owned by Stephen Ross (the billionaire owner of NFL's Miami Dolphins), has long eyed bringing major European football fixtures to the U.S. This ambition was first hinted at with the creation of the International Champions Cup (ICC) a few years ago, but now, with a financial stake in the game, Relevent aims to take it a step further.