Disney+ recently announced it struck a pathbreaking agreement with the Spanish top-flight La Liga. The streaming giant is venturing into live sports, highlighting its commitment to high-quality sports. Some of the best teams in the world, like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, will now appear on the streaming platform.
La Liga is the highest followed international league in the UK, and this deal comes as a sweetener to the fans who love watching English stars like Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold live in action.
GOAL brings you everything you need to know about Disney+’s deal with La Liga and how to watch the top teams in action.
What is Disney+?
Divulgação
Disney+ is an American subscription video-on-demand over-the-top streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, the business segment of the Walt Disney Company. Launched in 2019, it gathers content from shows and movies produced by Walt Disney Studios and Disney Television Studios. It also has dedicated content hubs for Disney, Marvel, Pixar, National Geographic and ESPN.
The service is venturing into the sports industry with an eye on live sports. They added ESPN titles starting from November 2024. The deal with La Liga comes as a surprise and underlines their ambition.
The Landmark Deal with LaLiga
Ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 LaLiga season, Disney+ confirmed that it acquired streaming rights to select games for three seasons in the UK and Ireland. Beginning 16 August 2025, customers can enjoy live Spanish football on Saturday nights, included as part of their subscription.
Every Saturday night prime time kickoff will be available for streaming as part of this agreement. Teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid often play during this time slot.
Production and match commentary will be provided by ESPN. Popular names like Steve McManaman, Stewart Robson, Ian Drake and Rob Palmer all feature on the stream. Disney+’s sister company, ESPN, also benefits from this deal by gaining access to highlights. Across the ESPN website, ESPN UK social channels and YouTube, fans can watch highlights of every LaLiga game and keep up to date on the latest news and biggest moments in Spain.
Premier Sports will remain the primary broadcaster of La Liga in the UK, covering over 340 live matches per season.
How to sign into Disney+?
Signing into Disney+ is a simple process for all the fans. Here is a detailed breakdown:
On a Computer, Mobile, or Tablet
- Open your web browser.
- Go to the official Disney+ website.
- Click “Log in” at the top right.
- Enter your email address and click “Continue.”
- You may be prompted to enter a one-time passcode sent to your email for verification.
- Enter your password (or set it if new).
- Click “Continue” to access your account.
- Select your user profile to start streaming.
On a Smart TV or Streaming Device (e.g., Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick)
- Launch the Disney+ app on your TV or connected device.
- Select “Log In.”
- An 8-digit code will appear on your screen.
- On your phone, tablet, or computer, open a browser and visit DisneyPlus.com/begin or Disneyplus.com/login.
- Enter the code from your TV screen.
- Follow the prompts to log into your Disney+ account using your email and password.
- Once authenticated, your TV app will refresh and log you in.
- Select your user profile to begin streaming.
To ensure a smooth streaming experience, ensure a stable internet connection.
What was said?
After signing a groundbreaking deal, the figureheads at Disney+ and LaLiga were full of joy. In their official press release, they expressed the joy and significance of this deal.
LALIGA President Javier Tebas said: “Today begins a new era in LALIGA’s broadcast distribution in the UK and Ireland. We’re proud to break new ground with an exclusive Saturday night match on Disney+, which will give unparalleled access to LALIGA fans of all ages.”
Karl Holmes, General Manager, Disney+ EMEA, said: “At Disney, we celebrate storytelling that moves and excites. From the cinematic scale of FX’s “Alien: Earth” to the sharp wit of “Only Murders in the Building” and the action-packed suspense of Lucasfilm’s “Andor”, our customers know they’re in for something special. Now, with LALIGA joining the line-up, they can experience that same excitement on the pitch with weekly matches featuring legendary clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona and stars like Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold as part of their Disney+ subscription.”
The Bottom Line
LaLiga is a football lover’s paradise. The league is renowned for its technical and tactical superiority, boasting a huge following in the UK and Ireland. Disney+ is spreading extensively into the market with its exclusive and vast content. The deal sees two worlds collide, enabling fans to have another option for watching their favourite sport on their preferred platform.
