How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal: live Champions League 2025/26 game, free streams

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Nico Williams' injury is a blow, but Bilbao's home record is formidable, especially under Ernesto Valverde

Arsenal's Spanish coach Mikel Arteta gives a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between Athletic Bilbao and Arsenal at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on September 15, 2025.
(Image credit: ANDER GILLENEA / AFP / GETTY IMAGES)
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Eberechi Eze looks set to make his Champions League debut on Tuesday, and although Athletic Bilbao will be without key man Nico Williams, they have a superb record at home, especially in European competition.

Lehoiak are back in the UCL after 10 years away, and it's fitting that the grand return was masterminded by Ernesto Valverde, now in his third managerial spell with the club he starred at in his playing days. Both of his previous stints were wildly successful, yet this tenure looks like it will eclipse them both.

There's no denying that Williams' absence through a hamstring injury is a major blow, but if there's one thing that defines Bilbao, it's that they're so much more than the sum of their parts. In Oihan Sancet and skipper Inaki Williams they have plenty of quality, and the 14 wins their past 18 home European ties have produced are testament to the ferocity of that San Mames crowd.

Formidable defending and unerring set-pieces took Arsenal all the way to the semi-finals last season, so despite the signings of Eze and Noni Madueke, Mikel Arteta is unlikely to adopt a more expansive approach. Viktor Gyokeres' prolific form for Sporting in the UCL was one of the reasons the Gunners broke the bank for him, and he's already shown that he doesn't need a great deal of service to produce the goods.

Here's where to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal live streams in the 2025/26 Champions League online from anywhere.

Can I watch Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal for free?

Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal is streaming for free on Virgin Media Play in Ireland. The game kicks off at 5.45pm IST.

You don't even need to register for Virgin Media Play — just click on the Bilbao vs Arsenal stream and you'll be good to go.

What if you're abroad? Football fans from Ireland can use NordVPN to watch their usual streaming service from anywhere.

How to watch any Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal stream using a VPN

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How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal live streams in the US

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The Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal live stream is on Paramount Plus in the USA.

A subscription to Paramount Plus starts at $7.99/month, rising to $12.99 to remove ads. You can save on either package by committing to a yearly subscription.

Outside of the US? Use a VPN to watch Paramount Plus from abroad while you're away from home.

How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal live streams in the UK

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The Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal live stream is on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

You can get it by adding TNT Sports to your Sky, Virgin Media or EE TV package, or pay from £30.99 per month for a Discovery+ plan that includes TNT Sports.

Traveling away from the UK right now? Use a VPN to watch Discovery+ from abroad while you're away from home.

Official Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal broadcasters by region

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What time is Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal?

Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal kicks off at 12.45pm ET / 5.45pm BST on Tuesday, September 16.

Can I watch Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal on my mobile?

Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.

You can also stay up-to-date with key 2025/26 Champions League moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@ChampionsLeague), Instagram (@ChampionsLeague), TikTok (@ChampionsLeague) and UEFA's YouTube (@UEFA).

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Aatif Sulleyman
Aatif Sulleyman

Aatif is a freelance copywriter and journalist based in the UK. He’s written about technology, science and politics for publications including Gizmodo, The Independent, Trusted Reviews and Newsweek, but focuses on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: sport and penny-pinching.

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