The UEFA Champions League final is set with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain taking on Arsenal in a battle of contrasts both on and off the pitch. The Ligue 1 champions face the Premier League outfit in Budapest, with Luis Enrique's side looking to defend the title they won last year in Munich by thrashing Inter Milan 5-0. The two sides met in last season's semi-finals, with PSG emerging victorious 3-1 on aggregate, though Arsenal now have a chance at revenge after emerging from a fiercely competitive semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
Earlier Kick-Off Time
Uefa has switched the kick-off time for this year's final, with the game kicking off at 5pm BST on 30 May. That is three hours earlier than previous years, when the match kicked off at 8pm BST. Uefa detailed their reasons for the move in a statement: "The decision is designed to enhance the overall matchday experience for fans, teams and host cities by optimising matchday logistics and operations, while delivering several tangible benefits."
"Our goal is to make match day 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," the statement continued. 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 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 Ceferin added: "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 21:00 CET 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."
How to Watch
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage from 7pm BST. A live stream will also be available via HBO Max and the HBO app. In the United States, the match will be broadcast in English on CBS and streamed live on Paramount+. Spanish-language coverage is available on Univision and TUDN, which can also be streamed via Fubo.
Pre-Match Entertainment
The Killers are headlining the pre-match entertainment on the night. In recent years, artists such as Linkin Park and Lenny Kravitz have performed at the final.
Arsenal's Route to the Final
League phase - finished 1st: MD 1: Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal; MD 2: Arsenal 2-0 Olympiakos; MD 3: Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid; MD 4: Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal; MD 5: Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich; MD 6: Club Brugge 0-3 Arsenal; MD 7: Inter Milan 1-3 Arsenal; MD 8: Arsenal 3-2 Kairat.
Last 16: 1st leg: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal; 2nd leg: Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen; Aggregate: Arsenal 3-1 Bayer Leverkusen.
Quarter-final: 1st leg: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal; 2nd leg: Arsenal 0-0 Sporting; Aggregate: Arsenal 1-0 Sporting.
Semi-final: 1st leg: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal; 2nd leg: Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid; Aggregate: Arsenal 2-1 Atletico Madrid.
PSG's Route to the Final
League phase - finished 11th: MD 1: PSG 4-0 Atalanta; MD 2: Barcelona 1-2 PSG; MD 3: Bayer Leverkusen 2-7 PSG; MD 4: PSG 1-2 Bayern Munich; MD 5: PSG 5-3 Tottenham; MD 6: Athletic Bilbao 0-0 PSG; MD 7: Sporting 2-1 PSG; MD 8: PSG 1-1 Newcastle.
Knockout phase play-offs: 1st leg: Monaco 2-3 PSG; 2nd leg: PSG 2-2 Monaco; Aggregate: PSG 5-4 Monaco.
Last 16: 1st leg: PSG 5-2 Chelsea; 2nd leg: Chelsea 0-3 PSG; Aggregate: PSG 8-2 Chelsea.
Quarter-final: 1st leg: PSG 2-0 Liverpool; 2nd leg: Liverpool 0-2 PSG; Aggregate: PSG 4-0 Liverpool.
Semi-final: 1st leg: PSG 5-4 Bayern Munich; 2nd leg: Bayern Munich 1-1 PSG; Aggregate: PSG 6-5 Bayern Munich.
