New expectations are forming for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, with major changes set to redefine this renowned club competition while looking to enhance the experience for fans and viewers alike.
Beginning with the 2025/26 season, the Champions League final has a new kick-off time. The highly anticipated match has shifted from its usual late-night start in Europe at 21:00 CET to 18:00 CET, which is 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT in the United States.
This change is designed to enhance the fan experience, making it more convenient for those in attendance and the millions watching from around the world. UEFA also aims to streamline logistics related to transportation and security for teams, attendees, and local authorities. The final match of Europe’s elite club competition is set for Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
“With this change, we prioritized the fans’ experience in our planning. The UEFA Champions League final is the pinnacle of the soccer season, and the new kick-off time ensures greater accessibility, inclusivity, and impact for everyone involved,” said UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.
PSG beat Inter Milan in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final
“While a 21:00 CET kick-off works well for midweek matches, an earlier start on a Saturday for the final means an earlier conclusion — even with extra time or penalties — allowing fans to enjoy the rest of the evening with friends and family, reflecting on the game,”
Have there been finals played earlier?
Yes. Throughout the competition’s history, particularly in its early years, finals were held at earlier times. At that time, broadcast regulations and prime-time television requirements were less stringent than they later became.
The shift to a standardized 21:00 CET start is a relatively recent trend, mainly driven by television and global market needs. Before this, kick-off times varied widely based on the host city, season, and other factors. For instance, in the 1950s and 1960s, it was common for finals to start in the afternoon.
From 2010 onward, the final has consistently occurred on Saturday nights. Therefore, the 2025/26 adjustment marks a return to earlier kick-off times after many years, reviving a practice that had long been set aside.