Disney+ criticised for advert break during Arsenal’s UWCL game

Disney+ has come under fire after a commercial break interrupted the second half of its live Women’s Champions League coverage. As reported by The Guardian, the disruption happened with about 15 minutes remaining during Arsenal’s match against HB Køge.

For around three minutes, viewers were unable to see the action. The Guardian adds that some fans were shown the adverts, while others saw the message “commercial break in progress” on an orange background.

The match carried on

When the broadcast resumed, the commentary team reportedly did not mention the interruption, continuing as if they were unaware of what had happened. No decisive moments were missed: the Gunners won 1-0, with the winner arriving via a penalty scored by Mariona Caldentey in the 93rd minute.

Disney+ response

The Guardian says ESPN produces the Women’s Champions League coverage for Disney+. Frustrated supporters vented on social media during and after the break, and some even received replies from Disney+ Help on X. In one message, the account wrote to a fan named Emelia, apologising and noting that Disney+ Standard and Disney+ Premium plans are “without commercial interruption”, while live events may still include limited promotional content and sponsor messaging.

It is also understood by The Guardian that Tuesday’s interruption was unintended, caused by a technical issue, and that Disney+ is taking steps to address it. The outlet further recalls Disney+ secured a five-year deal in 2025 to broadcast the competition exclusively across Europe, including the UK, replacing DAZN.