UEFA announces major changes to Champions League final kick-off time starting in 2026

The Union of European Football Association (UEFA) have announced that starting from the 2025/2026 season, the Championship League final will be played at an earlier kick-off time.

Since the 2018/2019 season, the fixture has had a start time of 21:00 CET (20:00 BST), but club football’s biggest event will now begin three hours earlier.

It means match will be broadcasted live to viewers in the UK at 5pm and most of Europ at 6pm.

The 2025/2026 Champions Leaque final will take place on Saturday May 30, 2026 at the Puskas Arena Budapest.

According to the governing body of football in Europe – UEFA, the adjustment is aimed at boosting global viewership and accessibility for fans across different regions.

UEFA have confirmed that the Champions Leaque final will kick-off three hours earlier than usual this season.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin spoke on the decision when the announcement was made on Thursday August 28, 2025.

“We are placing the fans’ experience at the heart of our planning. The Champions Leaque final is the highlight of the season, and the new kick-off time will make it even more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone involved”

According to Ronan Evain, the Executive Director for Football Supporters Europe, logistical reasons are also part of the reason the drastic change has been made.

“An earlier kick-off makes day trips more feasible, reduced travel distress, and allows fans to enjoy the occasion without worrying about late late- night logistics, It’s practical improvement that puts fan’s first”.

Thursday announcement marks the biggest change to club football’s showpiece event since the fixture began being held on Saturday night from the 2009/ 2010 season after previous taking place on a weeknight.

Puskas Arena will host its first Champions Leaque final having only been built in 2019.

The stadium in Budapest can hold 67,155 fans and was previously one of the venues used in the Pan-European Euro 2020.

This season will mark the first time ever that Hungary will host the Champions League final.

-9News Nigeria.