ไทย
English
中國人
The most prestigious event on the European football calendar takes place this weekend as Paris Saint-Germain face Arsenal in the 2025–26 Champions League final.
PSG are chasing consecutive titles following their historic first triumph last season, while Arsenal are making only their second final appearance in search of their maiden crown. The continent's standout clubs this campaign—for contrasting reasons—look set to deliver a memorable spectacle.
Budapest's Puskás Aréna plays host to Saturday's showdown between the giants, marking the first time the stadium has welcomed such a monumental football occasion. Close to 68,000 fans will pack the ground for the season's defining Champions League encounter.
However, a change has been made to this year's schedule, with the traditional kickoff time for the showpiece occasion shifted three hours earlier. Here's the reason why.
The Reason Behind Champions League Kick-Off Time Alteration
The Champions League final has traditionally been an evening affair across Europe, with kickoff set at 8 p.m. BST (3 p.m. ET, 12 p.m. PT). However, this season's fixture has been moved forward, starting considerably earlier than customary.
PSG vs. Arsenal will now get underway at 5 p.m. BST (12 p.m. ET, 9 a.m. PT). UEFA made the call to improve the experience for travelling fans and viewers around the world.
"The decision is designed to enhance the overall matchday experience for fans, teams and host cities by optimizing logistics and operations, while delivering several tangible benefits," UEFA's official statement read.
"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 traveling 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 kickoff 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's reasoning holds up from a logistical perspective and also takes into account the potential for extra time and a penalty shootout to settle the tie, which can extend proceedings by an additional hour and create significant travel difficulties for attending supporters.