UEFA Champions League final kick-off moves to 18:00CET as of 2025/26 season
Thursday, August 28, 2025
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The decision is designed to enhance the matchday experience and benefit fans, teams and host cities.
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UEFA today announced an important update to the match schedule of its flagship competition: starting with the 2026 final in Budapest, the kick-off time of the UEFA Champions League final will move forward from 21:00CET to 18:00CET.
The decision is designed to enhance the overall matchday experience for fans, teams and host cities by optimising logistics and operations, while delivering several tangible benefits. Our goal is to make matchday a truly enjoyable experience for everyone who wants to be part of the excitement, while creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy for families and children to attend the biggest and most important club football match of the season.
For travelling supporters, it will mean improved access to public transport – especially after the match – and a safer, more convenient journey back from the stadium. For the host cities, it will boost the positive economic impact of the event by giving fans the possibility to continue their celebrations.
The new kick-off time also aligns with a more accessible broadcasting window, helping the final reach an even broader television and digital audience worldwide, with a particular focus on engaging younger viewers.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin
"With this change, we are placing the fans' experience at the heart of our planning. The UEFA Champions League final is the highlight of the football season, and the new kick-off time will make it even more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone involved.
"While a 21:00CET kick-off is well suited for midweek matches, an earlier kick-off on a Saturday for the final means an earlier finish - regardless of extra time or penalties - and offers fans the opportunity to enjoy the rest of the evening with friends and family, reflecting on the game of the season."
Executive Director for Football Supporters Europe Ronan Evain
"This is a welcome step forward for match-going fans that we very much support. Over the last couple of years, Football Supporters Europe has worked closely with UEFA to improve the fan experience at club finals, and this change further reflects the recognition of supporters’ needs. 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. It’s a practical improvement that puts fans first and continues to build on the progress already made to enhance the welcoming atmosphere, accessibility and service levels at UEFA finals."
This latest adjustment builds on a successful precedent. The UEFA Champions League final has been played on Saturday since 2010. This calendar solution has consistently proven successful for the big event that drops the curtain on the European club season – enhancing fan engagement and contributing to the global growth of European club competitions.