The UEFA Champions League is a championship that brings together the best teams in Europe, it is certainly an unmissable competition for football lovers. The competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has undergone great evolution since its origins in 1955, becoming today one of the most watched sporting competitions in the world.

In the 1950s, football in Europe was on the rise, European clubs were becoming increasingly popular and national clubs were seeking to broaden their horizons and also aim to compete at an international level. In this scenario, Gabriel Hanot, an influential French sports journalist, and Jacques Ferran, editor of the newspaper “L'Équipe”, were the main promoters of the idea of ​​creating a tournament that would bring together European national champions.

The main motivation behind the creation of the competition was to create a space for champion clubs from different countries to compete against each other and thus obtain the best team in Europe. A high-level competition, right? Until then, disputes between European clubs did not happen frequently, competitions were more focused on a regional or national level.

Therefore, the first edition of the tournament took place in the 1955-1956 season, called the European Champion Clubs' Cup). This edition had the participation of 16 teams, and followed a simple knockout format, in which clubs competed in round-trip games until there was a winner left in the final.

Real Madrid's victory in that first edition, defeating French team Stade de Reims 4-3 in the final, marked the beginning of their prestige in the competition that has lasted over the years. This happened because after the first victory, the Spanish club won five more consecutive titles in just these first years of the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

Over the years, the competition gained more popularity and evolved a lot, until UEFA decided to expand it to include teams that were not champions of their national leagues. Thus, the name was also changed to the UEFA Champions League in 1992 and in the current group format, followed by knockout stages.

Today, the UEFA Champions League is one of the most prestigious sporting competitions in the world, with a rich history and legacy of thrilling games and memorable moments that have made it an essential part of the European and global sporting landscape. In this article, we have separated the best tips for you to follow the matches online and for free, so you don't miss a single moment.

2023/24 season

The competition brings together the best teams in Europe, so the 2023/24 season promises electrifying and fascinating matches. Some of the best football players are present in the competition, showing their techniques and skills on the field, and the level is very high.

The Champions League group stage games began in September and run until December 12, 2023. And the elimination phase begins in February 2024, with the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals taking place until May 8, 2024.

The grand final is scheduled for June 1, 2024, and the end of the season will be at the grand Wembley Stadium, in London.

UEFA Champions League stars

The UEFA Champions League always attracts the best players in the world, and over the years, many football stars have excelled in the competition. There are several players who have left their legacy over the years, but we have selected some of the main players who made history in the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the competition. Ronaldo holds the record for most goals in Champions League history and has won the tournament several times with Manchester United and Real Madrid. His performance in the Champions League is remarkable not only for his ability to score goals, but also for his ability to shine in decisive moments and lead his teams to victories. His relentless pursuit of excellence, his tireless work ethic and his winning mentality have made him an icon of European and global football;

Lionel Messi is another football giant who has shone in the Champions League. Throughout his career, Messi won the UEFA Champions League four times with Barcelona, ​​in the 2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2010-2011 and 2014-2015 seasons. He played a key role in winning these titles, scoring crucial goals and providing decisive assists at various stages of the tournament. He holds numerous records in the competition, including most goals in a single season;

Raúl González Blanco, known simply as Raúl, is one of the legends of Spanish and world football. During his career at Real Madrid, which lasted from 1994 to 2010, Raúl won the UEFA Champions League three times, in the 1997-1998, 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 seasons. He played a key role in winning these titles, scoring important goals and leading the team on the field. Raúl was known for his finishing ability, intelligent positioning and ability to score goals in decisive situations.

Andrés Iniesta is best known for his long spell at FC Barcelona, ​​where he was part of one of the most successful teams in football history. With Barcelona, ​​he won four UEFA Champions League titles in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015. During these campaigns, Iniesta played a key role in the team's midfield, being known for his technical ability, vision of the game and ability to control the pace of the match.

Find out how to watch the UEFA Champions League for free

We have already seen that the Champions League plays a fundamental role in football and is a competition with a historic legacy, enjoyed by thousands of fans around the world. You can't miss the opportunity to follow this game season, so check out the best tips for watching the UEFA Champions League for free.

1. Streaming services

Some streaming services, like DAZN or CBS All Access (in some countries), offer free trials for a limited time. During these periods, you can access live streaming of UEFA Champions League games free of charge.

2. Social Media and Video Platforms

Many teams and UEFA have official channels on YouTube and on Facebook, where they upload game summaries and highlights. You can watch these videos for free. Additionally, you can follow the official UEFA Champions League and club pages on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks, where key moments and clips from games are often shared.

3. Local TV Channels

In many countries, some UEFA Champions League matches are broadcast on free-to-air TV channels. This allows fans to watch games for free. So you can check if broadcasts are available in your region.

4. Official UEFA Websites

The official website of UEFA offers free coverage including game summaries, highlights and news. Although they do not broadcast the games live, they provide detailed and up-to-date information.

5. Watch in a group

Some fan groups organize viewing events in bars or public places to watch games as a group. Others hold virtual events too, where they come together to share the experience. This can provide a more exciting experience than watching alone.

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The UEFA Champions League is certainly one of the biggest events in football. Planeta Sports has separated the main ways for you to watch the games for free and support your favorite team. This way, you don't miss any details and can live this experience intensely. Follow our blog for more tips.