Soccer fans will be able to watch Champions League football on RTÉ from the beginning of next season's competition in September. UEFA have accepted RTÉ's bid for exclusive live coverage of Wednesday night matches, with additional rights to screen highlights of the matches on the same night.

Live coverage of Tuesday night matches will be screened by TV3 and UTV. RTÉ were not only bidding against TV3, but also Sky, who currently have the rights to the Republic of Ireland's home matches.

The Champions League agreement is for a three-year period, up to and including the Champions League final in 2006. It marks a return for RTÉ after an absence of three years.