Canal+ and beIN SPORTS: two complementary offers
Canal+ and beIN SPORTS are often set against each other, but the two broadcasters actually cover different competitions. Comparing them is less about crowning a winner than about identifying which matches what you want to watch. Canal+ is the premium multi-sport offer, centred on the Champions League and the Premier League. beIN SPORTS is the home of the big foreign leagues, at a noticeably gentler price.
Neither holds the main Ligue 1 rights: most French-league matches are on Ligue 1+. beIN does show one Ligue 1 fixture per round, which Canal+ does not. This comparison details prices, competitions and devices, with no numeric score, to help you decide by profile.
Canal+ vs beIN SPORTS: the head-to-head
The table below sets the two offers side by side on the criteria that matter: approximate price, competitions covered, compatible devices, commitment and a per-broadcaster verdict. Prices are approximate and change with rights cycles and promotions.
| Criterion | Canal+ | beIN SPORTS |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ≈ €29.99/mo (with sport) | ≈ €15/mo |
| Competitions | Champions League (most), Premier League, Top 14, F1 | LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, 1 Ligue 1 fixture |
| Devices | myCANAL: mobile, smart TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV | beIN Connect: mobile, smart TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV |
| Commitment | Depends on package, often a minimum term | With or without commitment depending on access route |
| Verdict | Best for the Champions League and multi-sport | Best for foreign leagues at a low price |
Competitions: who shows what?
This is the decisive criterion. Canal+ concentrates premium European football: most Champions League fixtures and nearly all of England's Premier League, plus Top 14 rugby, Formula 1 and some tennis. It is the richest offer for anyone wanting top-level football and multi-sport in a single subscription.
beIN SPORTS, meanwhile, is close to essential for the big foreign leagues: Spain's LaLiga, Italy's Serie A and Germany's Bundesliga. beIN also shows one Ligue 1 fixture per round, plenty of handball and tennis, and many international competitions. For a fan of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus or Bayern, beIN is more relevant than Canal+.
Price and commitment
The price gap is clear: beIN SPORTS sits around €15/month, roughly half the cost of Canal+'s package with sport (≈ €29.99/mo, and more for full bundles). The gap reflects scope: Canal+ includes cinema, series and a far broader range of sports. beIN is available directly via beIN Connect, with or without commitment, or through partner distributors; Canal+ often involves a minimum term depending on the package.
Who is it for? Verdict
The choice depends entirely on the competitions you follow, not on one service being overall superior to the other.
- Choose Canal+ if you never want to miss a Champions League tie, if you follow the Premier League, or if you want multi-sport (rugby, F1, tennis) in one subscription.
- Choose beIN SPORTS if you mainly follow LaLiga, Serie A or the Bundesliga, or if you want an extra Ligue 1 fixture at a low price.
- Take both if you are a fan who wants to cover the Champions League and foreign leagues at once — a common combination among keen European-football followers.
Our view: if your priority is the Champions League, Canal+ is the pick, ideally paired with Prime Video for the Tuesday tie. If you favour foreign leagues and a contained budget, beIN SPORTS offers the best price-to-competition ratio. Neither replaces Ligue 1+ for most of Ligue 1.