Champions League Final Moves Up Its Time for Next Season
The UEFA Champions League final, in its men’s division, will change its starting time for next season, moving it forward three hours. The match will begin at 6 p.m. Central European Time (12 p.m. Eastern Time). The UEFA has justified this change by arguing that the new schedule is more favorable for families and children to attend and enjoy the match, whether in the stadium or through television. In addition, it facilitates the use of public transport after the game and allows fans to celebrate in the host cities. The new schedule will be implemented starting with the next final, scheduled for May 30 at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary. In previous years, the 9 p.m. local time start often resulted in matches that extended until midnight, due to extra time and possible penalty shootouts. UEFA explained that the new schedule will also allow the match to reach a wider audience through television and digital platforms worldwide, with a particular focus on attracting younger viewers. This decision was made after conversations with the Football Supporters Europe group, which is UEFA’s official liaison for matters related to fans.An earlier start makes day trips more feasible, reduces travel stress, and allows fans to enjoy the occasion without worrying about overnight logistics.
Ronan Evain, CEO of FSE
