The wait is finally over. One of the most highly anticipated UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg matches is upon us, as Arsenal — widely regarded as the strongest side in European football at the moment — make the trip to the BayArena to take on Bayer Leverkusen. Whether you plan to watch from the UK, the United States, India, Australia, or any other corner of the world, this guide has you covered. Below, you will find a complete breakdown of where to watch Leverkusen vs Arsenal, every TV channel that is broadcasting the match, free streaming options, precise kickoff times across different time zones, the latest team news, and our match prediction.
Save this page and keep reading — everything you need is right here.
Match Details at a Glance
Before we get into the viewing options, here is a quick summary of the essential match information:
| Detail | Information |
| Match | Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League 2025/26 – Round of 16, First Leg |
| Date | Wednesday, 11 March 2026 |
| Kickoff Time | 5:45 PM GMT | 12:45 PM ET | 11:15 PM IST | 3:45 AM AEST (Thu) |
| Venue | BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany |
| Referee | Umut Meler (Turkey) |
Leverkusen vs Arsenal: Where to Watch — Full TV & Streaming Guide
The channel and streaming platform that carries Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal will vary depending on where you live. We have put together a detailed, country-by-country breakdown so you can tune in without any confusion.
🇬🇧 How to Watch Leverkusen vs Arsenal in the UK
Viewers in the United Kingdom can follow the action live on TNT Sports 3. For those subscribed to TNT Sports, the channel is listed as number 415 on Sky, 523 on Virgin Media, and 410 on BT/EE TV. If you would rather stream the game online, Discovery+ offers access through its sports subscription plan, priced at £30.99 per month. As the official home of Champions League coverage in the UK, TNT Sports will provide full pre-match build-up, live commentary, and post-match analysis for this high-profile fixture.
UK viewing at a glance:
- TV Channel: TNT Sports 3
- Online Stream: Discovery+ (£30.99/month)
- Sky: 415 | Virgin Media: 523 | BT/EE TV: 410
- Free Highlights: TNT Sports on YouTube
🇮🇪 How to Watch Leverkusen vs Arsenal for Free in Ireland
Football supporters based in Ireland have the advantage of being able to watch this match completely free of charge. The fixture is available as a free-to-air broadcast on Virgin Media Two and can also be streamed via the Virgin Media Play platform, which requires only a free account to access. With English-language commentary and no subscription fee, Ireland stands out as one of the few places where fans can enjoy this Champions League clash without spending a penny.
🇺🇸 Where to Watch Leverkusen vs Arsenal in the USA
In the United States, CBS Sports holds the exclusive rights to broadcast UEFA Champions League football, which means Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal will stream live on Paramount+. A Paramount+ Essential subscription starts at just $8.99 per month, and new users can take advantage of a seven-day free trial. Spanish-language coverage is available on UniMás, TUDN, and ViX. Fans looking for a bundled package can also access the game through DirecTV Stream.
US streaming options:
- Primary Platform: Paramount+ (from $8.99/month — 7-day free trial for new users)
- Spanish Coverage: UniMás, TUDN, ViX
- Alternative: DirecTV Stream
- Kickoff: 12:45 PM ET / 9:45 AM PT
🇮🇳 Where to Watch Leverkusen vs Arsenal in India
Football fans across India can stream this match live through Sony LIV, which holds the Champions League broadcasting rights for the subcontinent. The platform is accessible via a monthly subscription and is available on mobile, tablet, and smart TV devices. The match gets underway at 11:15 PM IST, making it a late-evening fixture for Indian viewers. For anyone who wants to follow Arsenal throughout their European campaign this season, a Sony LIV subscription is a worthwhile investment.
🇦🇺 Where to Watch Leverkusen vs Arsenal in Australia
Australian football enthusiasts can catch every Champions League fixture — including this first-leg tie — live on Stan Sport. The platform, which also covers the entire Premier League season, is available at AU$32 per month. Since kickoff is scheduled for 3:45 AM AEST on Thursday morning, those planning to watch live will need to set their alarms well in advance.
🇩🇪 Watching Leverkusen vs Arsenal in Germany
German fans can watch this fixture live on DAZN Germany. Champions League rights in Germany are split between DAZN and Amazon Prime Video, and this particular match falls under the DAZN portfolio. Given that Leverkusen are the home side, this is a match that will attract massive attention from German football audiences.
Broadcasting Rights in Other Regions
Here is a quick reference for other territories:
- France: CANAL+
- Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico & more): Disney+
- North Africa: beIN Sports
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
- Hungary: RTL
- Czechia: Nova Sport
- Cyprus: Cytavision
- Finland: MTV Katsomo
- Iceland, Denmark & Sweden: Viaplay
Leverkusen vs Arsenal Match Preview: The Story So Far
This fixture goes far beyond a routine last-16 encounter. It pits a team chasing European glory against a side that has shown — time and again — that it is fully capable of producing a stunning upset on a big European night.
Arsenal: The Dominant Force in This Season’s Tournament
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal arrive at the BayArena riding an extraordinary wave of form. The Gunners etched their name in Champions League history during the league phase by becoming the first side in the competition’s modern era to record a perfect eight wins from eight games. Over that run, they scored 23 goals while conceding only four — meaning they were both the highest-scoring and the best-defended team in the entire tournament during that stage.
Beyond Europe, Arsenal are also leading the Premier League table and remain active in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. A potential quadruple is genuinely in sight, which would represent a historic achievement for the club. For any opposition, facing this Arsenal side right now is an enormously difficult task.
Bayer Leverkusen: Dangerous Opponents on Their Own Turf
Leverkusen’s 2025/26 campaign has been far from straightforward. Following Xabi Alonso’s move to Real Madrid, the club appointed Erik ten Hag as his replacement — only for the Dutchman to be dismissed after a short spell. Under Danish head coach Kasper Hjulmand, however, the team has rediscovered a sense of stability and direction. Leverkusen have dropped just one game in their last eleven across all competitions, and they reached the last 16 by eliminating Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate during the knockout phase play-offs.
What makes Leverkusen particularly dangerous is their track record against English clubs in Europe. Earlier in this season’s Champions League, they pulled off a notable result by beating Manchester City 2-0 on their own ground. The BayArena has also proved to be a reliable fortress under Hjulmand — Leverkusen have not lost at home in their last six matches across all competitions, conceding only once during that run. It is worth noting that Arsenal’s most recent visit to Leverkusen came back in 2002, when they left with a 1-1 draw.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: Latest Injury News
Arsenal travel to Germany without a handful of important players. Martin Odegaard (knee), Ben White, and Mikel Merino have all been ruled out of this fixture. On a more positive note, William Saliba — the cornerstone of the Gunners’ backline — is fully fit and available for selection. Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori were both involved in training sessions ahead of the match and may be in contention for a place in the squad. Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, and Jurrien Timber are all expected to return to the starting eleven after being given a rest during the FA Cup victory against Mansfield Town.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Bayer Leverkusen: Latest Injury News
Leverkusen’s squad has been hit by a series of injury setbacks. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken is sidelined with a knee problem, while outfield players Loic Bade (hamstring), Arthur (ligament), Nathan Tella (foot), Eliesse Ben Seghir (calf), and Lucas Vazquez (calf) are all unavailable. Perhaps the biggest concern for the hosts is the fitness of striker Patrik Schick, who is doubtful due to a muscle complaint. Should Schick be unable to play, Leverkusen will lose one of their most potent attacking threats at a critical moment.
Predicted Leverkusen XI: Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Grimaldo, Palacios, Garcia, Culbreath; Maza, Terrier; Kofane
Head-to-Head Record & Key Statistics
These two clubs have a limited history against each other, with their only previous meetings coming during the 2001/02 Champions League group stage. The first encounter ended 1-1 in Germany, with Robert Pires on the scoresheet for Arsenal, before the Gunners dominated the return fixture at Highbury, running out 4-1 winners. While that historical sample is small, Arsenal’s ability to perform at the highest level gives them a clear edge as the tie approaches.
Key numbers to know ahead of kick-off:
- Arsenal have won all eight of their Champions League games this season — an unprecedented club record
- Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last six home matches, having conceded just one goal in that run
- Arsenal have suffered defeat in all five of their previous UCL knockout ties against German clubs (all against Bayern Munich)
- Leverkusen have progressed in four of their last five two-legged knockout ties against English opposition
- Leverkusen ended the league phase in 16th position; Arsenal topped the standings with a flawless record
- Arsenal are 22 points adrift of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga standings — highlighting how much Leverkusen’s form has dipped since their title-winning 2023/24 campaign
Leverkusen vs Arsenal Prediction
Arsenal head into this fixture as clear favourites, and the statistics make a compelling case for their credentials. Their Champions League form this season has been nothing short of exceptional. That said, the BayArena presents a genuine test, and Hjulmand’s Leverkusen have proven themselves to be a difficult team to break down at home. Their high-intensity, pressing style of play could create problems for an Arsenal midfield that has been stretched during congested fixture periods.
There are several individual battles worth keeping a close eye on. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi — the latter having covered more ground than any other player in the Premier League this season — will be central to Arsenal dictating the tempo of the game. On the opposite side, Alejandro Grimaldo remains Leverkusen’s most creative and dangerous player, and Bukayo Saka will likely face a demanding defensive workload keeping the Spanish left-back under control.
Interestingly, Arsenal tend to flourish against teams that press high and leave space in behind — which is precisely the way Leverkusen set up. With Viktor Gyokeres leading the line and Gabriel Martinelli providing a constant threat on the break, Arsenal possess the firepower to punish any defensive lapses.
| Our Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1–2 Arsenal Arsenal’s overall quality and squad depth should prove decisive, though Leverkusen are fully capable of scoring at the BayArena. |
FAQ:
Q:1. What channel is Leverkusen vs Arsenal on?
ANS: It depends on where you are. UK fans can watch on TNT Sports 3, US viewers on Paramount+, Indian fans on Sony LIV, Australians on Stan Sport, and German supporters on DAZN. Check the full guide above for your country.
Q:2. Is it possible to watch Leverkusen vs Arsenal for free?
ANS: Yes! Ireland fans can watch free on Virgin Media Two — no subscription needed. US viewers can use Paramount+’s 7-day free trial. Highlights drop free on TNT Sports YouTube post-match.
Q:3. What time does Leverkusen vs Arsenal kick off?
ANS: The match kicks off at 5:45 PM GMT on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. The corresponding local times are: 12:45 PM ET in the USA, 11:15 PM IST in India, and 3:45 AM AEST on Thursday morning in Australia.
Q:4. Where will the second leg take place?
ANS: The return fixture will be held at the Emirates Stadium in London. This gives Arsenal home advantage in the decider. The exact date of the second leg will be announced by UEFA in due course.
Q:5. Who are the favourites to win this tie?
ANS: Arsenal are the strong favourites, both for this tie and for the Champions League overall. Leverkusen, however, should not be underestimated — they are well organised at home and have a proven ability to overcome Premier League opposition in European competition.
Do Not Miss a Moment of Leverkusen vs Arsenal
This is exactly the kind of fixture that makes the UEFA Champions League so special. An in-form Arsenal side, breaking records and chasing history, up against a resilient Leverkusen team with a point to prove on their own ground. The atmosphere at the BayArena is guaranteed to be electric, and this first leg has every chance of setting the tone for an absorbing two-legged tie.
Make sure your viewing arrangements are in place well before kick-off. UK fans should log into Discovery+ or tune into TNT Sports 3. US viewers can sign up for Paramount+ and make use of the free trial. Indian fans should open up Sony LIV. And if you are in Ireland, simply visit Virgin Media Play — completely free of charge.
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