BUDAPEST — The 2026 UEFA Champions League final will kick off earlier than usual, with the showdown at Budapest’s Puskas Arena scheduled for 6:00 pm local time on Saturday, May 30, instead of the traditional 9:00 pm slot.
UEFA announced the change on Thursday, saying the move was designed to “enhance the matchday experience” for supporters traveling to the game.
“An earlier kick-off makes day trips more feasible, reduces travel stress, and allows fans to enjoy the occasion without worrying about late-night logistics,” explained Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe, which collaborated with UEFA on the decision.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin also noted that while the late-night kick-off is suitable for midweek matches, a Saturday final benefits from an earlier start.
“An earlier kick-off on a Saturday for the final means an earlier finish — regardless of extra time or penalties,” he said.
The Champions League final has been staged on Saturdays since 2010, unlike the Europa League and Conference League finals, which remain midweek fixtures.
Last season, Paris Saint-Germain clinched their first-ever European Cup in style, thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich.
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