Arsenal are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday night, and Virgin Media customers can watch the match for free. The cable TV provider has activated a dedicated HD pop-up channel, 526, offering live coverage at no extra cost to its TV subscribers. This move comes after TNT Sports’ controversial decision not to broadcast the final on free-to-air or free-to-stream platforms.
Fans without an active HBO Max or TNT Sports subscription can still enjoy the game via Virgin Media. Those who already have a TNT Sports subscription through Virgin can continue to watch on channel 521. Virgin previously provided free access to Aston Villa’s Europa League final victory and Crystal Palace’s Europa Conference League triumph.
In previous years, European finals were available for free, but this year’s change has sparked widespread criticism. TNT Sports, and its predecessor BT Sport, had historically shown the final for free since acquiring rights from ITV a decade ago, initially streaming it live on YouTube. More recently, they offered free coverage on Discovery+, but after moving to HBO Max, they have not continued this practice.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged TNT Sports to reconsider, writing a letter to the broadcaster and speaking publicly on talkSPORT. He stated, “I just think it should be free, it's always been free every year up to this year, and I say this not as an Arsenal fan, all fans want to watch the Champions League final.” Starmer emphasized that football should bring people together and that hardworking fans should not have to pay for a subscription to watch the match.
TNT Sports responded by noting that all three UEFA finals this year are available from £4.99 via a month-long HBO Max subscription. The final between Arsenal and PSG will take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday, May 30, with kick-off at 5pm UK time.
