Champions League 2026/27: Irish viewers get free live streams, VPN unlocks access for overseas
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League is underway. Irish viewers can watch several matches free on RTÉ Player and Virgin Media Play, while TechRadar says a VPN can help overseas audiences tune in.
TechRadar's list of free fixtures includes Club Brugge vs Aston Villa and Real Madrid vs Inter Milan on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, Barcelona faces Feyenoord, Liverpool hosts Atletico Madrid, and Arsenal takes on Sporting. Thursday offers Fenerbahce against Roma, Bayern Munich against Bodo/Glimt, and Manchester United against Sabah. The piece says RTÉ Player will carry Liverpool vs Atletico and Manchester United vs Sabah, while Virgin Media Play will present the rest. With times in British Summer Time, the matches are scheduled for 5.45 p.m. and 8 p.m. slots.
Both RTÉ Player and Virgin Media Play are free to use and provide English commentary, according to the report. However, the article says its free offering amounts to seven games this week, even though the attached schedule includes eight matches. TechRadar did not clarify the discrepancy.
For viewers traveling or living outside Ireland, TechRadar recommends subscribing to a virtual private network (VPN) to access these platforms. The site names NordVPN as its top pick, and states that users can save 75 percent on an annual subscription. In a simple three-step process, users install the VPN app, connect to a server located in Ireland, and then visit the RTÉ Player or Virgin Media Play websites or apps to watch the matches.
TechRadar says RTÉ Player is compatible with a broad range of devices, including Amazon Fire tablets, Android phones, Apple TV, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox consoles, LG or Samsung smart TVs, Roku players, and Sky TV boxes. The report also suggests an internet connection of at least 5–10 Mbps for a smooth streaming experience.