Current status (28 October 2026): CCTV has suspended broadcasts. Migu remains the main streaming option.
State broadcaster CCTV has suspended all La Liga broadcasts since 26 October 2026. The decision follows comments by Kylian Mbappé about a meme comparing him to Mao Zedong. Real Madrid’s and LaLiga’s explanations have been rejected. CCTV says there is nothing to discuss until a satisfactory public apology is issued.
Migu holds exclusive new-media rights for all 380 La Liga matches per season until 2029/30. It is currently the main place to watch La Liga in mainland China (freemium model, Chinese commentary). Some Real Madrid matches have started being pulled from the schedule amid the controversy, but Migu remains the primary legal streaming option.
Recommendation: Download the Migu app or use migu.cn. Always check the latest schedule as the situation is evolving.
2010s — Regular deals with CCTV. Spanish football very popular thanks to Barça and Real Madrid stars.
2015–2020 — CCTV renewals plus streaming platforms (PPTV, iQiyi, later LaLiga Plus).
2021–2024 — Migu becomes a major partner. Free-to-air TV reduced after political tensions; streaming fills the gap.
2024–2026 — CMG/CCTV returns with non-exclusive rights (CCTV-5+). In August 2026 Migu signs exclusive new-media deal through 2029/30.
October 2026 — CCTV suspends all coverage over the Mbappé controversy. Migu continues as the main platform (with some match removals).
Chinese fans have active official supporter groups. Watching with a local peña is the closest thing to the Spanish experience.
See more on the dedicated pages: Barça peñas · Real Madrid peñas.
