Here’s why the Champions League final starts at 5pm this year

FootballSports
30 May 2026 • 9:41 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Here’s why the Champions League final starts at 5pm this year

  • The Uefa Champions League final is set to take place in Budapest on Saturday, 30 May, featuring defending champions Paris Saint-Germain against Arsenal.
  • The match will kick off at 5pm BST (12pm ET), three hours earlier than in previous years, a change Uefa implemented to enhance the overall fan experience, improve logistics, and reach a wider global audience, especially younger viewers.
  • This final presents Arsenal with an opportunity for revenge, as Paris Saint-Germain defeated them 3-1 on aggregate in last season's semi-finals before securing the title.
  • For the first time since the Champions League rebrand in 1992, the final will not be available free-to-air in the UK, with exclusive coverage on TNT Sports 1, while viewers in the US can watch on CBS and Paramount+.
  • Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side enters the final having recently won the Premier League title, aiming to complete a historic double, with The Killers confirmed to headline the pre-match entertainment.

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