SOME fans have been left ‘bemused’ after Uefa introduced a rule change for this year’s Champions League.
The final has had its regular kick-off time shifted three hours earlier.
The showpiece will now begin at 5pm BST (6pm CET (12pm ET) instead of 8pm (9pm CET, 3pm ET).
The change will come into force in 2026 where the final is being held at the Puskas Arena in Budapest .
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin explained why the decision has been taken.
He said: “With this change, we are placing the fans’ experience at the heart of our planning.
“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.”
Some fans agree that it will make watching the final more accessible for the wider audience.
One posted on X: “Perfect. Don’t have to wake up at 2am to watch [the] UCL.”
But others are concerned that the change was ‘unnecessary’ suggesting that the ‘game is gone’.
Another wrote: “Embarrassing, it [is] literally an European competition , why do they have to cater for the other fans?”
And one fan posted: “I feel like seeing a team lift the trophy in daylight will kill the vibe a little.”
Reasons for this change are believed to be for better fan experience, improved transport access to and from the stadium, safer travel, economic benefits for host cities, reaching a wider audience, particularly younger fans, and is an attempt at making the event more inclusive.
This change opens opportunity to expand coverage and access in both Asian and American markets where fans used to have to stay up late to watch fixtures held in Central Europe.
