UEFA Explains Reason for Moving Champions League Final Kick-off to 18:00 (CET)

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced a significant change to the kick-off time for the UEFA Champions League final. The match will now start earlier, moving from 9:00 PM Central European Time (CET) to 6:00 PM CET (17:00 GMT+1).

This decision will come into effect starting with the final of the 2025-2026 season, scheduled to take place on May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

The move aims to enhance the overall experience for fans, teams, and host cities, with a particular focus on making the event more accessible for families and children to attend.

Commenting on the change, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin stated: "An earlier kick-off on a Saturday allows for an earlier conclusion to the competition, regardless of extra time, giving fans the opportunity to celebrate and spend time with their loved ones after the season's end." Čeferin also noted that the new timing considers the unique nature of the final day, distinguishing it from mid-week matches.

Through this decision, the continental federation seeks to generate positive economic returns for host cities by extending the duration of fan celebrations following the final whistle. This shift comes after many years of consistently scheduling the final match at 9:00 PM, in an effort to align with the marketing and social demands imposed by modern football industry.