UEFA has announced that the Champions League final will begin three hours earlier than this season.
The Champions League finals usually started at 9pm. This is 8pm in the UK. However, it now starts at 6pm. That means that British audiences will witness the start of 5pm.
This represents a major change that traditionally begins at 8pm, from standard scheduling in UEFA to the overwhelming majority of equipment, from group phases to finals.
The only fixtures that present previous kickoff times are those that occur in Eastern Europe, which match in places like Russia. The final changes constitute the biggest change to the tournament as they switched the final days from Wednesday to Saturday in 2010.
UEFA said, “This decision is designed to enhance the overall match-day experience for fans, teams and host cities by providing some tangible benefits while optimizing match-day logistics and operations.
“Our goal is to make Match Day a truly enjoyable experience for those who want to be part of the game. At the same time, it creates a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy for families and children to participate in the biggest and most important club football games of the season.”
UEFA highlights the benefits of faster kickoff times for fans, especially in terms of logistics after the final. Typically, both supporters visit new stadiums, cities and often new countries.
UEFA also argued that host cities could enjoy greater economic benefits. President Alexander Ceferin said: “This change has put the fan experience at the heart of our plans. The UEFA Champions League final is the highlight of the football season, and the new kickoff times will be even more accessible, inclusive and impactful for all involved.”
Built in 2019, Puskas Arena will host its first Champions League Final. The Budapest-based stadium could accommodate 67,155 spectators and was previously one of the venues used in the Euro 2020 in Pan Europe.
This is the first time Hungary has hosted a Champions League final this season. The Arena was the venue for the 2022 Europa League final, with Sevila beating Jose Mourinho’s Rome in a penalty shootout.
The stadium is named after legendary Hungarian forward Puska, who won the European Cup three times in Real Madrid, and is the only player to win a hat-trick in two finals.
