Unlock Free Champions League Streams on Virgin Media Player & RTÉ (IRE) with NordVPN (70% Off)
The UEFA Champions League is back this Tuesday, marking the second season of the tournament’s revamped format. Football fans can once again enjoy the highest level of European club football on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.
Even better news for fans in Ireland — residents will have free access to eight live Champions League matches in the opening round via Virgin Media Play and RTE Player.
These include:
► Tuesday (September, 16):
Athletic Club vs Arsenal (5:45 p.m.) - Virgin Media Two
Real Madrid vs Marseille (8 p.m.) - Virgin Media Two
► Wednesday (September, 17):
Slavia Prague vs Bodo/Glimt (5:45 p.m.) - Virgin Media Two
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea (8 p.m.) - Virgin Media Two
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid (8 p.m.) - RTE 2
► Thursday (September, 18):
FC Kobenhavn vs Bayer Leverkusen (5:45 p.m.) - Virgin Media Two
Manchester City vs Napoli (8 p.m.) - Virgin Media Two
Newcastle vs Barcelona (8 p.m.) - RTE 2
But, can you access Virgin Media and RTE Player in the U.K., U.S., Australia and Canada? Read on and we'll show you how to watch UEFA Champions League live streams from anywhere with a VPN for FREE.
How to watch UEFA Champions League 25/26 live streams for free
Soccer fan from Ireland? You're in luck as this season RTE via the RTE 2 channel and Virgin Media Play via the Virgin Media Two channel will be showing a host of Champions League games — including eight in the first week.
RTE 2 and Virgin Media Two are free-to-air channels in Ireland, you don't even need an account!
We regularly watched RTE and Virgin Media's coverage of the Champions League last season, including the final that saw PSG be crowned victorious and the coverage was excellent.
Outside the country for the return of the Champions League? Use NordVPN to make it appear as if your device is still in Ireland for the fixtures — more on that below.
How to watch UEFA Champions League 25/26 live streams from anywhere
Although RTE and Virgin Media are only available to Irish residents, fans who are travelling outside of Ireland for the return of the Champions League to the the likes of the U.S., U.K. and Canada can still stream the games using a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
A VPN sets your devices to appear back in your home country, regardless of where you are in the world. It's ideal for soccer fans away on business or vacation for this week's fixtures. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:
Using a VPN is incredibly stress free.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're in Canada and want to view an Irish service, you'd select Ireland from the listed countries.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to RTE Player or Virgin Media Play and watch the action.
Virgin Media and RTE Q+A
What does RTE and Virgin Media's coverage include?
Virgin Media Play will be broadcasting full coverage of the games, with their broadcast starting around 30 minutes prior to kick-offs.
Commentary will be available in English and will be delivered by a team of Irish and international experts.
RTE will also be showing full coverage of select fixtures with their broadcasts starting approximately 15 minutes before scheduled kick offs.
RTE will be offering both English and Irish commentary to their fans, depending on their preference.
Remember - Use NordVPN if you're outside of Ireland on business or vacation.
What devices can I watch RTE and Virgin Media on?
- Amazon Fire (Tablets, Cube, Stick, TVs)
- Android TV (please note: some models aren’t supported)
- Android (Mobile & Tablet) - Android 7.0 and above
- Apple TV (tvOS 14 or later)
- Google TV (Chromecast with Google TV and NVIDIA Shield)
- Freely
- Freesat (please note: some models aren’t supported)
- Freeview Play (TVs and set‑top boxes) (some models aren’t supported)
- iOS (iPhone & iPad) - iOS 14 and above
- LG Smart TVs (2016‑2024)
- NOW Smart Sticks and Boxes (minimum firmware v11.5.0)
- PlayStation (PS4 and PS5)
- Roku (Stick & Roku‑OS powered TVs, minimum firmware v11.5.0)
- Samsung Smart TVs (2017 and above)
- Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream puck
- Virgin Media (360, Stream, TiVo)
- YouView (BT, Humax, Sony, TalkTalk)
- Xbox (One, Series X, Series S)
More from Tom's Guide
- UEFA Champions League 25/26 Full Streaming Guide
- How to watch Premier League 25/26
- How to watch Formula 1 2025 online without cable
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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