Watch Ferencváros vs Ludogorets Live: UEFA Europa League Streaming Guide

Navigating the landscape of European football broadcasting can be a challenge, particularly when high-stakes knockout ties involve regional rights and digital-only platforms. This guide is your dedicated resource for the upcoming UEFA Europa League play-off between Ferencváros and Ludogorets Razgrad. Whether you are following the Green Eagles from Budapest or supporting the Bulgarian champions from abroad, our breakdown simplifies the process of finding a reliable stream.

The 2026 play-off round sees these two frequent European rivals face off once again in a battle for a spot in the Round of 16. The first leg is scheduled for the Huvepharma Arena in Razgrad on February 19, with the return fixture at the Groupama Aréna in Budapest on February 26. For fans in the United States and Canada, the primary gateways for the 2025/26 season remain Paramount+ and DAZN, respectively, offering high-definition coverage and multi-device compatibility. Meanwhile, viewers in the United Kingdom can find the action via TNT Sports, which continues its comprehensive coverage through the Discovery+ app and its dedicated linear channels.

Match Schedule and Venues

The beauty of these knockout playoffs is the dramatic shift in atmosphere between the two legs. We begin in the relatively intimate but vocal surroundings of Razgrad before heading to one of Central Europe’s most modern and loud “football cathedrals” in Budapest. While the Huvepharma Arena provides a tight, high-pressure environment for visitors, the return trip to the Groupama Aréna is a different beast entirely—a venue where the Hungarian “ultras” can create an intimidating wall of sound. Pay close attention to the kickoff times, as the legs are staggered to accommodate global broadcast windows.

Broadcaster Breakdown to Watch Ferencváros vs Ludogorets Live

In Hungary, the home of Ferencváros, the broadcasting landscape has shifted toward a hybrid model of linear television and premium streaming. The rights for the 2025/26 season are primarily held by RTL Hungary, which utilizes its RTL+ streaming platform to show every match of the competition. For those preferring traditional television, matches involving Hungarian clubs are frequently simulcast on M4 Sport, the national sports channel, ensuring the entire country can support Fradi for free. This mix of high-end digital production and public accessibility makes it easy for local fans to stay connected to the team’s European journey.

In Bulgaria, viewers can rely on a familiar set of broadcasters to follow Ludogorets Razgrad’s progress. The rights are shared between bTV Media Group and A1 Bulgaria, with the majority of high-profile fixtures airing on the MAX Sport channels. These channels are the primary home for European club football in Bulgaria and offer extensive pre-match analysis. For those on the move, the A1 Xplore TV app provides a robust streaming alternative that maintains high-bitrate quality even on mobile networks. Additionally, bTV Action often carries a “top pick” game each week, providing a free-to-air option for major knockout clashes.

Streaming Options in the UK & USA

Whilst in the United Kingdom, the broadcasting rights for the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League remain firmly with TNT Sports. While the biggest matchups often land on their linear channels like TNT Sports 1 or 2, the discovery+ app is the true hub for the competition, streaming every single game live, including those on the “overflow” red button channels. This ensures that fans of Ferencváros or Ludogorets won’t miss a second of the play-off action, even if a higher-profile Premier League side is playing simultaneously.

Across the Atlantic in the United States, CBS Sports is the exclusive English-language home for the tournament. The vast majority of the Europa League matches, including this high-stakes knockout tie, are found on Paramount+. For those who prefer Spanish-language commentary, Univision and TUDN carry select matches, while the ViX streaming service provides comprehensive coverage for the entire knockout stage. In Canada, DAZN continues its reign as the primary broadcaster, offering every match live and on-demand through its dedicated app, which is compatible with most smart TVs and gaming consoles.

Choosing the Right VPN for streaming Europa League 

For a high-stakes game where every second of low latency counts, you need a provider that prioritizes speed and unblocking capabilities. NordVPN remains the top recommendation for sports fans because of its specialized SmartPlay technology. This is a built-in feature that automatically combines VPN security with Smart DNS, allowing the app to bypass the sophisticated anti-VPN filters used by platforms like DAZN and Paramount+ without you having to mess with any settings. If you’re in a country with strict internet filtering, you should look for their obfuscated servers in the specialty list; these hide the fact that you’re even using a VPN.

ExpressVPN is the gold standard if you’re planning to watch on a device that doesn’t natively support VPN apps, like an older Smart TV or a gaming console. Their MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) service allows you to register your IP address on their website and change your TV’s DNS settings to point to their servers. While this doesn’t offer the full encryption of a VPN, it’s significantly faster and perfectly suited for 4K streaming. If you’re watching with a large group of friends on multiple devices, Surfshark is an excellent choice because it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account, and its NoBorders mode is specifically designed to work in restrictive network environments like hotels.

Players to Watch and Tactical Outlook

This tie is going to be a battle of technical precision versus raw athletic power. For Ferencváros, keep your eyes on Bence Ötvös; he is the creative engine in the midfield who dictates the tempo and finds the gaps in structured defenses. Up front, Barnabás Varga remains a constant aerial threat and a clinical finisher who only needs one half-chance to change a game. Ferencváros will likely attempt to control possession and use the technical quality of their wingers to stretch the Ludogorets backline, especially in the home leg where the pitch dimensions favor their expansive style.

Ludogorets, on the other hand, possesses a danger man in Bernard Tekpetey. His explosive pace on the counter-attack is exactly how the Bulgarian side will try to exploit Ferencváros when they commit too many players forward. Another player to watch is the prolific Petar Stanić, who has been in sensational form during the league phase and currently leads the team in European goals. Tactically, Ludogorets is expected to sit in a disciplined mid-block in the first leg, looking to lure the Hungarians into a trap before releasing their pacey forwards into the space behind the fullbacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the away goals rule still exist?

No, it does not. If the aggregate score is level after 180 minutes, the game goes to 30 minutes of extra time. If there is still no winner, a penalty shootout will decide who moves on to the Round of 16.

Can I use a free VPN to watch the game?

While possible, free VPNs are generally not recommended for live sports. They often have data caps, slower speeds that cause buffering, and their IP addresses are frequently blacklisted by major streamers like Paramount+ and RTL+.

Is there a way to watch the match for free?

In Hungary, M4 Sport typically broadcasts Ferencváros games for free. In Bulgaria, keep an eye on bTV Action for free-to-air coverage. For international fans, some services offer seven-day free trials that can be used for a single matchday.

What is the kickoff time for fans in the US?

The first leg starts at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT on February 19. The second leg is a morning kickoff for West Coast fans, starting at 12:45 PM ET / 9:45 AM PT on February 26.

Final Thoughts and Analysis

This is one of those ties where the “better” team on paper might not have the easier time. Ferencváros has the historical pedigree and the advantage of a massive home crowd for the second leg. But their domestic form has shown some defensive vulnerabilities lately. Ludogorets is entering this tie with a “nothing to lose” mentality and a squad that has already proven it can topple bigger European names on its day. If Ferencváros doesn’t leave Bulgaria with at least a draw, that return leg in Budapest is going to be filled with immense pressure.

The first leg demands a very tactical show from both sides aiming for a defensive and counterattacking masterclass, making sure the difference in the tie is not too big before the next leg takes place. The second leg will likely be where the game opens up, especially in the final twenty minutes if the score remains close. Ultimately, the experience of players like Dénes Dibusz in goal for Ferencváros might be the deciding factor. It’s a matchup that could easily go down to the wire, possibly even requiring a penalty shootout to separate these two well-matched Eastern European giants.